PDE4B inhibitors and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

Compounds active on phosphodiesterase PDE4B are provided. Also provided herewith are compositions useful for treatment of PDE4B-mediated diseases or conditions, and methods for the use thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the development of ligands forphosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) and to the use of crystal structures ofPDE4B for the development of said ligands. The information provided isintended solely to assist the understanding of the reader. None of theinformation provided nor references cited is admitted to be prior art tothe present invention. Each of the references cited is incorporatedherein in its entirety and for any purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) were first detected by Sutherland andco-workers (Rall, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 232:1065-1076 (1958), Butcher,et al., J. Biol. Chem., 237:1244-1250 (1962)). The superfamily of PDEsis subdivided into two major classes, class I and class II (Charbonneau,H., Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Structure, Regulation and DrugAction, Beavo, J., and Houslay, M.D., eds) 267-296 John Wiley & Sons,Inc., New York (1990)), which have no recognizable sequence similarity.Class I includes all known mammalian PDEs and is comprised of 11identified families that are products of separate genes (Beavo, et al.,Mol. Pharmacol., 46:399-405 (1994); Conti, et al., Endocr. Rev.,16:370-389 (1995); Degerman, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:6823-6826(1997); Houslay, M.D., Adv. Enzyme Regul., 35:303-338 (1995); Bolger, G.B., Cell Signal, 6:851-859 (1994); Thompson, et al, Adv. SecondMessenger Phosphoprotein Res., 25:165-184 (1992); Underwood, et al., J.Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 270:250-259 (1994); Michaeli, et al., J. Biol.Chem., 268:12925-12932 (1993); Soderling, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.U.S.A., 95:8991-8996 (1998); Soderling, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,273:15553-15558 (1998); Fisher, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273:15559-15564(1998)). Some PDEs are highly specific for hydrolysis of cAMP (PDE4,PDE7, PDE8), some are highly cGMP-specific (PDE5, PDE6, PDE9), and somehave mixed specificity (PDE1, PDE2, PDE3, PDE10).

All of the characterized mammalian PDEs are dimeric, but the importanceof the dimeric structure for function in each of the PDEs is unknown.Each PDE has a conserved catalytic domain of ˜270 amino acids with ahigh degree of conservation (25-30%) of amino acid sequence among PDEfamilies, and which is located toward the carboxyl-terminus relative toits regulatory domain. Activators of certain PDEs appear to relieve theinfluence of autoinhibitory domains located within the enzyme structures(Sonnenberg, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270:30989-31000 (1995); Jin, etal., J. Biol. Chem., 267:18929-18939 (1992)).

PDEs cleave the cyclic 2′-3′ nucleotide phosphodiester bond between thephosphorus and oxygen atoms at the 3′-position with inversion ofconfiguration at the phosphorus atom (Goldberg, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,255:10344-10347 (1980); Burgers, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 254:9959-9961(1979)). This apparently results from an in-line nucleophilic attack bythe OH⁻ of ionized H₂O. It has been proposed that metals bound in theconserved metal binding motifs within PDEs facilitate the production ofthe attacking OH⁻ (Francis, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269:22477-22480(1994)). The kinetic properties of catalysis are consistent with arandom order mechanism with respect to cyclic nucleotide and thedivalent cations(s) that are required for catalysis (Srivastava, et al.,Biochem. J, 308:653-658 (1995)). The catalytic domains of all knownmammalian PDEs contain two sequences (HX₃ HX_(n)(E/D)) arranged intandem, each of which resembles the single Zn²⁺-binding site ofmetalloendoproteases such as thermolysin (Francis, et al., J. Biol.Chem., 269:22477-22480 (1994)). PDE5 specifically binds Zn²⁺, and thecatalytic activities of PDE4, PDE5, and PDE6 are supported bysubmicromolar concentrations of Zn²⁺ (Francis, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,269:22477-22480 (1994); Percival, et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res.Commun., 241:175-180 (1997)). Whether each of the Zn²⁺-binding motifsbinds Zn²⁺ independently or whether the two motifs interact to form anovel Zn²⁺-binding site is not known. The catalytic mechanism forcleaving phosphodiester bonds of cyclic nucleotides by PDEs may besimilar to that of certain proteases for cleaving the amide ester ofpeptides, but the presence of two Zn²⁺ motifs arranged in tandem in PDEsis unprecedented.

The group of Sutherland and Rall (Berthet, et al., J. Biol. Chem.,229:351-361 (1957)), in the late 1950s, was the first to realize that atleast part of the mechanism(s) whereby caffeine enhanced the effect ofglucagon, a stimulator of adenylyl cyclase, on cAMP accumulation andglycogenolysis in liver involved inhibition of cAMP PDE activity. Sincethat time chemists have synthesized thousands of PDE inhibitors,including the widely used 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (EBMX). Many ofthese compounds, as well as caffeine, are non-selective and inhibit manyof the PDE families. One important advance in PDE research has been thediscovery/design of family-specific inhibitors such as the PDE4inhibitor, rolipram, and the PDE5 inhibitor, sildenafil.

Precise modulation of PDE function in cells is critical for maintainingcyclic nucleotide levels within a narrow rate-limiting range ofconcentrations. Increases in cGMP of 2-4-fold above the basal level willusually produce a maximum physiological response. There are threegeneral schemes by which PDEs are regulated: (a) regulation by substrateavailability, such as by stimulation of PDE activity by mass actionafter elevation of cyclic nucleotide levels or by alteration in the rateof hydrolysis of one cyclic nucleotide because of competition byanother, which can occur with any of the dual specificity PDEs (e.g.PDE1, PDE2, PDE3); (b) regulation by extracellular signals that alterintracellular signaling (e.g. phosphorylation events, Ca²⁺, phosphatidicacid, inositol phosphates, protein-protein interactions, etc.)resulting, for example, in stimulation of PDE3 activity by insulin(Degerman, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:6823-6826 (1997)), stimulation ofPDE6 activity by photons through the transducin system (Yamazaki, etal., J. Biol. Chem., 255:11619-11624 (1980)), which alters PDE6interaction with this enzyme, or stimulation of PDE 1 activity byincreased interaction with Ca²⁺/calmodulin; (c) feedback regulation,such as by phosphorylation of PDE1, PDE3, or PDE4 catalyzed by PKA aftercAmP elevation (Conti, et al., Endocr. Rev., 16:370-389 (1995);Degerman, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 272:6823-6826 (1997); Gettys, et al.,J. Biol. Chem. 262:333-339 (1987); Florio, et al, Biochemistry,33:8948-8954 (1994)), by allosteric cGMP binding to PDE2 to promotebreakdown of cAMP or cGMP after cGMP elevation, or by modulation of PDEprotein levels, such as the desensitization that occurs by increasedconcentrations of PDE3 or PDE4 following chronic exposure of cells tocAMP-elevating agents (Conti, et al., Endocr. Rev., 16:370-389 (1995),Sheth, et al., Throm. Haemostasis, 77:155-162 (1997)) or bydevelopmentally related changes in PDE5 content. Other factors thatcould influence any of the three schemes outlined above are cellularcompartmentalization of PDEs (Houslay, M.D., Adv. Enzyme Regul.,35:303-338 (1995)) effected by covalent modifications such asprenylation or by specific targeting sequences in the PDE primarystructure and perhaps translocation of PDEs between compartments withina cell.

Within the PDE superfamily, four PDEs (PDE2, PDE5, PDE6, and PDE10) ofthe 10 families contain highly cGMP-specific allosteric (non-catalytic)cGMP-binding sites in addition to a catalytic site of varying substratespecificity. Each of the monomers of these dimeric cGMP-binding PDEscontains two homologous cGMP-binding sites of ˜110 amino acids arrangedin tandem and located in the amino-terminal portion of the protein(Charbonneau, H., Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Structure,Regulation and Drug Action, Beavo, J., and Houslay, M.D., eds) 267-296(1990); McAllister-Lucas, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270:30671-30679(1995)). In PDE2, binding of the cgMP to these sites stimulates thehydrolysis of cAMP at the catalytic site (Beavo, et al., Mol.Pharmacol., 46:399-405 (1994)). PDE2 hydrolyzed cGMP as well as cAMP,and cGMP hydrolysis is stimulated by cGMP binding at the allostericsites in accordance with positively cooperative kinetics (Manganiello,et al., Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Structure, Regulation, andDrug Action, Beavo, J., and Houslay, M.D., eds, 61-85 John Wiley & Sons,Inc., New York (1990)). This could represent a negative feedback processfor regulation of tissue cGMP levels (Manganiello, et al., CyclicNucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Structure, Regulation, and Drug Action,Beavo, J., and Houslay, M.D., eds, 61-85 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NewYork (1990)), which occurs in addition to the cross-talk between cyclicnucleotide pathways represented by cGMP stimulation of cAMP breakdown.Binding of cGMP to the allosteric sites of PDE6 has not been shown toaffect catalysis, but this binding may modulate the interaction of PDE6with the regulatory protein, transducin, and the inhibitory γ subunit ofPDE6 (Yamazaki, et al., Adv. Cyclic Nucleotide Protein PhosphorylationRes., 16:381-392 (1984)).

The PDE4 subfamily is comprised of 4 members: PDE4A (SEQ ID NO:14),PDE4B (SEQ ID NO:12), PDE4C (SEQ ID NO: 15), and PDE4D (SEQ ID NO:13)(Conti et al. (2003) J Biol. Chem. 278:5493-5496). The PDE4 enzymesdisplay a preference for cAMP over cGMP as a substrate. These enzymespossess N-terminal regulatory domains that presumably mediatedimerization, which results in optimally regulated PDE activity. Inaddition, activity is regulated via cAMP-dependent protein kinasephosphorylation sites in this upstream regulatory domain. These enzymesare also rather ubiquitously expressed, but importantly in lymphocytes.

Inhibitors of the PDE4 enzymes have proposed utility in the treatment ofinflammatory diseases. Knockout of PDE4B results in viable mice (Jin andConti (2002) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 99, 7628-7633), while knockout ofPDE4D results in reduced viability (Jin et al. (1999) Proc Natl Acad SciUSA, 96, 11998-12003). The PDE4D knockout genotype can be rescued bybreeding onto other background mouse strains. Airway epithelial cellsfrom these PDE4D knockout embryos display greatly reducedhypersensitivity to adrenergic agonists, suggesting PDE4D as atherapeutic target in airway inflammatory diseases (Hansen et al. (2000)Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 97, 6751-6756). PDE4B-knockout mice have fewsymptoms and normal airway hypersensitivity.

By contrast, monocytes from the PDE4B knockout mice exhibit a reducedresponse to LPS (Jin and Conti (2002) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 99,7628-7633). This suggests that a PDE4B compound with selectivity versusPDE4D could exhibit anti-inflammatory activity with reducedside-effects.

Crystal structures of PDE4B (Xu et al. (2000) Science, 288, 1822-1825)and PDE4D (Lee et al. (2002) FEBS Lett, 530, 53-58) have been reportedin the literature. The PDE4B structure was solved without ligand presentin the active site, so information about active site properties waslimited to determination of two metal ion sites (presumably zinc andmagnesium). A binding mode for cAMP was proposed based on computationalmodeling. Accordingly, there is need in the art for more potent andspecific inhibitors and modulators of PDE4B and methods for designingthem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds active on PDE4B, and the useof structural information about PDE4B to design additional PDE4Bmodulators. In particular, the invention is directed to compounds ofFormula I, Formula II, and Formula III as described below. Thus, theinvention provides compounds that can be used for therapeutic methodsinvolving modulation of PDE4B, as well as providing molecular scaffoldsfor developing additional modulators of PDE4B and other PDEs.

The compounds of Formula I have the following structure:

where:

X is O, S, or NR⁷;

Y and Z are independently O or S;

R¹, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently hydrogen, acyl,optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted loweralkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substitutedcycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl or optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl and R¹ and R², or R⁴ and R⁵, or R⁹ and R¹⁰, or R² and R³can independently combine to form a heterocycle or optionallysubstituted heterocycle;

R³ is cyano, nitro, —C(Z)R⁸, S(O₂)NR⁹R¹⁰, S(O₂)R¹¹, or optionallysubstituted lower alkyl;

R⁶ and R⁸ are independently hydroxy, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionallysubstituted amine, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl,optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl, or optionally substituted heterocycle;

R¹¹ is independently hydroxy, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionally substitutedlower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, or optionallysubstituted heteroaralkyl. The invention comprises all salts, prodrugs,and isomers of compounds of the invention.

In certain embodiments, X is S, R¹ is H or optionally substituted loweralkyl, R² is or includes a cyclic group such as phenyl, methoxyphenyl,and benzyl.

In certain embodiments X is S; alternatively, X is O; or alternatively Xis NR⁷. In particular embodiments for each of X as S, X as O, and X asNR⁷, Y is O; Y is S; R³ is cyano; R³ is C(Z)R⁸; R³ is S(O₂)NR⁹R¹⁰; R³ isS(O₂)R¹¹, R³ is C(O)NH₂, or R³ is lower alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R² is or includes an optionally substitutedcyclic group, e.g., a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, which can be anaromatic group. Examples include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl,pyrrolyl, pyridinyl; in further related embodiments of each of the justmentioned selections for R² is H; R² is lower alkyl. In furtherembodiments, for each of the just mentioned selections for R², R³ iscarbonitrile or a carboxylic acid alkyl ester, e.g., carboxylic acidethyl ester (such as shown in compound 33).

In certain embodiments, R⁶ is

-   -   Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ are independently selected from the group        consisting of —O—, —S—, —CR^(6a)—, —CR^(6b)—, —CR^(6c)—, and        —NR^(6d)—,        -   wherein:            -   at least one of Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z4 is a heteroatom,                where Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ are selected to produce a                stable compound;    -   R^(6a), R^(6b) and R^(6c) are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio,        alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted        aryl, , amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with        alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl        optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,        heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,        heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano,        thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally        substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,        attached at any available point to produce a stable compound; or    -   R^(6a), R^(6b), and R^(6c) can, in combination with the        five-membered ring comprising Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴, combine to        form an optionally substituted fused heterocyclic ring system;    -   R^(6d) is optionally present, and when present is selected from        the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted lower        alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl,        amido, thioamido, and sulfonamido;    -   provided, however, that        -   when R⁶ is thiophen-2-yl, then R¹ and R² are not selected            from the group consisting of phenyl, lower alkyl, and lower            alkenyl; and        -   when R⁶ is furan-2-yl, then R¹ and R² are not selected from            the group consisting of optionally substituted phenyl and            optionally substituted phenylalkyl.

In a further embodiment R¹ is selected from the group consisting ofoptionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted loweralkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, acyl, optionallysubstituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and optionallysubstituted heteroaralkyl; and

-   -   R², R⁴ and R⁵ are hydrogen.

In a further embodiment, optionally substituted heterocycle isoptionally substituted cycloheteroalkyl, such as an optionallysubstituted pyrrolidine or piperidine.

In certain embodiments, R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of

-   -   R^(6a), R^(6b), and R^(6c) are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio,        alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted        aryl, , amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with        alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl        optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,        heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,        heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano,        thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally        substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,        attached at any available point to produce a stable compound;        and    -   R^(6d) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,        optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl, amido, thioamido, and sulfonamido;    -   provided, however, that        -   when R⁶ is thiophene-2-yl, then R^(6a) is not hydrogen or            halo.

In a further embodiment, R^(6a) is selected from the group consisting ofhalo, optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkynyl,amino, amido, carboxyl, hydroxy, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy,optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted heteroaryl,nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamide.

In a further embodiment R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of

and

-   -   R^(6a) and R^(6b) are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio,        alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted        aryl, , amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with        alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl        optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,        heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,        heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano,        thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally        substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,        attached at any available point to produce a stable compound;    -   provided, however, that        -   when R⁶ is thiophene-2-yl, then R^(6a) is not hydrogen or            halo.

In certain embodiments compounds of Formula I have the structure

wherein:

-   -   R¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower        alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally        substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle,        optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted        aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaralkyl;    -   R³ is selected from the group consisting of cyano, nitro,        —C(Z)R⁸, —S(O₂)NR⁹R¹⁰, —S(O₂)R¹¹, and optionally substituted        lower alkyl; and        -   R^(6a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,            halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,            alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, amino,            amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with alkyl,            aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl            optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or            heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,            heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino,            arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl,            optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted            hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido, optionally            substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, and            optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any available            point to produce a stable compound.

In certain embodiments of any of the above compounds, R³ is selectedfrom the group consisting of cyano, C(O)NH2 and optionally substitutedlower alkyl.

In certain embodiments of any of the above compounds, at least one of R¹and R² is selected from the group consisting of optionally substitutedcycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, and optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl. Where in further embodiments, optionallysubstituted heterocycle is optionally substituted cycloheteroalkyl.Embodiments of the above formulas include all salt, prodrugs, andisomers thereof.

Likewise, compounds of Formula II have the following structure:

where

X═S, O, NR¹⁵;

R¹² is hydrogen, OR¹⁶, SR¹⁶, optionally substituted amine, optionallysubstituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl,optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl,optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl,optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl oroptionally substituted heteroaralkyl;

R¹³ is OR¹⁶, SR¹⁶, or optionally substituted amine;

R¹⁴ is OR¹⁶, SR¹⁶, optionally substituted amine, optionally substitutedlower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionallysubstituted heteroaralkyl, C(Z)R¹⁹, C(Z)NR²⁰R²¹, S(O₂)NR²⁰R²¹, orS(O₂)R²²;

R¹⁵ is hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl,optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl, C(Z)R¹⁹, C(Z)NR²⁰R²¹, S(O₂)NR²⁰R²¹, or S(O₂)R²²;

R¹⁶ is optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted loweralkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substitutedcycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, or C(Z)R¹⁹;

R¹⁹ is hydroxy, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl,optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted loweralkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, or optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl;

R²⁰ and R²¹ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted loweralkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substitutedlower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl, or they may combine to form a 5-7 membered carbocyclic orheterocyclic ring;

R²² is hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl,optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, or optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl;

Z is O or S.

In particular embodiments of compounds of Formula II, X is S, R¹² issecondary amine, preferably with an optionally substituted aryl orheteroaryl group, R¹³ is —NH₂, R¹⁴ is —C(O)-aryl or C(O)-heteroaryl,where the aryl or heteroaryl group is optionally substituted. In furtherembodiments, the aryl or heteroaryl group in R¹² is mono ordi-substituted, e.g., with halo (e.g., fluoro or chloro) or halosubstituted lower alkyl, where a substitution is preferably at the paraposition for a 6-membered ring. In further embodiments, the aryl orheteroaryl is mono or di-substituted, preferably with halo or halosubstituted lower alkyl, preferably including a substitution at the paraposition for a 6-membered ring.

In further embodiments of Formula II, R¹⁴ is C(O)R¹⁹;

-   -   R¹⁹ is optionally substituted cycloalkyl; and    -   R¹² is selected from the group consisting of optionally        substituted arylamine, optionally substituted heteroarylamine,        and optionally substituted cycloalkyl, provided, however, that        where when R¹² is phenylamine, R¹⁹ is not cyclopropyl.

In further embodiments of compounds of Formula II R¹⁴ is C(O)R¹⁹;

-   -   R¹⁹ is optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, or optionally substituted cycloalkyl; and    -   R¹² is optionally substituted cycloalkylamine        -   wherein when R¹² is cyclohexylamine, then R¹⁹ is not            optionally substituted phenyl.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein:

-   -   Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ are independently selected from the group        consisting of —O—, —S—, —CR^(19a)—, —CR^(19b)—, —CR^(19c)—, and        —NR^(19d)—,        -   wherein:            -   at least one of Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ is a heteroatom where                Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ are selected to produce a stable                compound;    -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted        cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl provided, however, that        sulfonamide may not substitute aryl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, and sulfonyl; and    -   R^(19a), R^(19b) and R^(19c) are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio,        alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted        aryl, , amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with        alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl        optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,        heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,        heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano,        thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally        substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,        attached at any available point to produce a stable compound;    -   wherein at least one of R^(19a), R^(19b) and R^(19c) is        optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,        or carboxyl; or    -   R^(19a), R^(19b) and R^(19c) can, in combination with the        five-membered ring comprising Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴, combine to        form an optionally substituted fused heterocyclic ring system;        and    -   R^(19d) is optionally present, and when present is selected from        the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted lower        alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted        heterocycle, optionally substituted heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl,        amido, thioamido, and sulfonamido.

In a further embodiment, R^(12a) is selected from the group consistingof optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, andoptionally substituted heteroaryl, wherein aryl may not be substitutedwith acyl, amine, and sulfonylamido.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein:

-   -   R¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of

-   -   R^(19a), R^(19b), and R^(19c) are independently hydrogen, halo,        hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl,        acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, , amino, amido, amidino,        urea optionally substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or        heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or        N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups,        alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino,        alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino,        carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally        substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido,        optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,        and optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any available        point to produce a stable compound; and    -   R^(19d) is optionally present, and when present is hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,        optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl, amido, thioamido, and sulfonamido.

In a further embodiment R¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of

-   -   R^(19a) is independently hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy,        alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally        substituted aryl, , amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally        substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups,        aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with        alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino,        arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino,        arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally        substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro,        cyano, thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl,        optionally substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted        alkynyl, attached at any available point to produce a stable        compound;    -   R^(19b) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and        lower alkyl; and    -   R^(19d) is optionally present, and when present is hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,        optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl, amido, thioamido, and sulfonamido.

In further embodiments of the above structures, R^(19a) is selected fromhalo, optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkynyl,amino, amido, carboxyl, hydroxy, optionally substituted aryl, aryloxy,optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted heteroaryl,nitro, cyano, thiol, and sulfonamido, attached at any available point toproduce a stable compound.

In certain embodiments compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein

-   -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted        cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, and sulfonyl; and    -   R^(19a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo,        hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl,        acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, amino, amido, amidino,        urea optionally substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or        heterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or        N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups,        alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino,        alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino,        carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally        substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido,        optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,        and optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any available        point to produce a stable compound;

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein

-   -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted        cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, and sulfonyl; and    -   R^(19a) is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, amino,        carboxyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally        substituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein

-   -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting optionally        substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, and        optionally substituted aryl; and    -   R^(19a) is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, amino,        carboxyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally        substituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein

-   -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl,        cycloalkyl, and optionally substituted aryl; and    -   R^(19a) is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, amino,        carboxyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally        substituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula II have the structure

wherein

-   -   R^(12a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted        cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl provided, however, that        sulfonamide may not substitute aryl, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, and sulfonyl.    -   In a further embodiment, R^(12a) is optionally substituted aryl.    -   In a further embodiment, R^(12a) is optionally substituted        phenyl.    -   Embodiments of the above formulas include all salt, prodrugs,        and isomers thereof.

Compounds of Formula III have the following structure:

wherein

A is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic structure having 3-14 ring atoms,which may be aryl or heteroaryl, joined to N by a bond or a set oflinked atoms, a, where m is 0-3;

R²³ is hydrogen, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionallysubstituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and optionallysubstituted heteroaralkyl, or it can combine with A and/or (a)_(m) toform a 5-7 membered optionally substituted carbocyclic or heterocyclicring systems, or an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group;

R²⁴ is optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substitutedcycloalkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl.

In certain embodiments, a substitution on R²⁴ is optionally substitutedlower alkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionallysubstituted lower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted heteroalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl,optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionallysubstituted heteroaryl, and optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, withthe option that it can be attached to R²⁴ through a carbon or oxygen orsulfur or optionally substituted nitrogen.

In certain embodiments of compounds of Formula III, R²⁴ is an optionallysubstituted thiophene ring; R²⁴ is an optionally substituted phenylring; R²⁴ is an optionally substituted carbocyclic ring; R²⁴ is anoptionally substituted heterocyclic ring; R²⁴ is an optionallysubstituted aryl group; R²⁴ is an optionally substituted heteroarylgroup; R²⁴ is a thiophene ring substituted with a 5- or 6-memberedcarbocyclic ring (which itself may be substituted); R²⁴ is a thiophenering substituted with a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring (which itselfmay be substituted); R²⁴ is a thiophene ring substituted with anoptionally substituted pyrimidine ring; R²⁴ is a phenyl groupsubstituted with an alkyl ester group; R²⁴ is a phenyl group substitutedwith an alkoxy group.

In certain embodiments, for each of the selections of R²⁴ describedabove, A is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group; alternatively,A is an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; alternatively, A isan optionally substituted aryl group; alternatively, A is an optionallysubstituted heteroaryl group; alternatively, A is an optionallysubstituted indole group; alternatively, A is an optionally substitutedphenyl group; or alternatively, A is an optionally substituted quinolinegroup.

In certain embodiments, for each of the selections of A described above,R²³ is H; R²³ is alkyl; R²³ is methyl; R²³ is ethyl; R²³ is propyl; R²³is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group; R²³ is an optionallysubstituted heterocyclic group; or, R²³ is an optionally substitutedphenyl group.

In some embodiments, (a)_(m) includes an S; (a)_(m) includes an O;(a)_(m) includes an N; (a)_(m) is a carbon chain; (a)_(m) is an alkylenechain; (a)_(m) is a chain —S-alkylene-; or (a)_(m) is a chain—O-alkylene-.

For (a)_(m) and (b)_(m), the number of linked atoms is the minimumnumber of atoms linking the maximal identifiable moiety A with N, or themaximal identifiable moiety B with S as shown in Formula IIIa,respectively.

In certain embodiments, a compound of Formula III, R²⁴ is not—Ar-substituted isopropyl and —(a)_(m)-A is not aryl or arylalkyl. Incertain embodiments, —(a)_(m)-A is not Ar-substituted isopropyl. Incertain embodiments, a compound of Formula III is not a compound asdescribed in Li et al., PCT/US00/06611, WO 00/54759, which isincorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments of compounds of Formula III, the compounds havethe structure of Formula IIIa:

where

-   m=0-3 atoms;-   n=0-3 atoms;-   A=cyclic group; and-   B=cyclic group.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula III have the structure

wherein:

-   -   R^(26a), R^(26b), R^(26c), R^(26d), R^(26e), and R^(26f) are        independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        halo, lower alkyl, and alkoxy. And R²⁴ is as defined above.

In a further embodiment R²⁴ is selected from the group consisting ofaryl optionally substituted with optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted arylamino, optionallysubstituted heteroarylamino, optionally substituted arylsulfonyl, and—RNHC(O)R′,

wherein:

-   -   R is alkylene, and    -   R′ is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,        or optionally substituted heteroaryl; or    -   R²⁴ is optionally substituted heteroaryl,    -   provided, however, that R²⁴ is not tetrazole or a        triazolopyrimidine ring.

In certain embodiments, compounds of Formula III have the structure

wherein:

-   -   n is 0 or 1; and    -   Z¹, Z², Z³, Z⁴, and Z⁵ are independently selected from the group        consisting of —O—, —S—, —CR^(24a), —CR^(24b)—, —CR^(24c),        —CR^(24d)—, and —NR^(24e)—,        -   wherein:            -   Z¹, Z², Z³, Z⁴, and Z⁵ are selected to form a stable                compound;            -   R^(24a), R^(24b), R^(24c), and R^(24d) are independently                selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo,                hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,                alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, ,                amino, amido, amidino, urea optionally substituted with                alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups,                aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted                with alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups,                alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,                heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino,                arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl,                optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally                substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido,                optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted                alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at                any available point to produce a stable compound; and    -   R^(24e) is optionally present, and when present is hydrogen,        optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl,        optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted        heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl, amido, thioamido, or sulfonamido.

In a further embodiment, the ring comprising Z1-Z4 is phenyl,thiophenyl, or furanyl. Embodiments of the above formulas include allsalt, prodrugs, and isomers thereof.

In connection with the compounds of Formulas I, II, and III thefollowing definitions apply.

“Halo” and “halogen” refer to all halogens, that is, chloro (Cl), fluoro(F), bromo (Br), or iodo (I).

“Hydroxyl” and “hydroxy” refer to the group —OH.

“Thiol” and “mercapto” refer to the group —SH.

“Alkyl” refers to an alkane-derived radical containing from 1 to 20,preferably 1 to 15, carbon atoms. Alkyl includes straight chain alkyl,branched alkyl and cycloalkyl. Straight chain or branched alkyl groupscontain from 1-15, preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1-6, yet morepreferably 1-4 and most preferably 1-2, carbon atoms, such as methyl,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, and the like. Alkyl alsoincludes straight chain or branched alkyl groups that contain or areinterrupted by one or more cycloalkyl portions. Examples of thisinclude, but are not limited to, 4-(isopropyl)-cyclohexylethyl or2-methyl-cyclopropylpentyl. The alkyl group is attached at any availablepoint to produce a stable compound.

A “substituted alkyl” is an alkyl group independently substituted with 1or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents such as halo, hydroxy,alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, aryl,substituted aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, amino, amido, amidino, ureaoptionally substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclylgroups, aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted withalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,heteroarylcarbonylamino, acyl, carboxyl, heterocycle, substitutedheterocycle, hetaryl, substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol,sulfonamido, oxo, or the like attached at any available point to producea stable compound.

“Lower alkyl” refers to an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms.

A “substituted lower alkyl” is a lower alkyl which is substituted with 1or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents as defined in [0079]attached at any available point to produce a stable compound.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic ring systemof 3-8, more preferably 3-6, ring members per ring, such as cyclopropyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, adamantyl, and the like.

A “substituted cycloalkyl” is a cycloalkyl which is independentlysubstituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substitutents asdefined in [0079], optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substitutedalkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any availablepoint to produce a stable compound.

“Alkylene” refers to a divalent alkane-derived radical containing 1-20,preferably 1-15, carbon atoms, from which two hydrogen atoms are takenfrom the same carbon atom or from different carbon atoms. Examples ofalkylene include, but are not limited to, methylene —CH₂—, ethylene—CH₂CH₂—, and the like.

A “substituted alkylene” is an alkylene which is independentlysubstituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substitutents asdefined in [0079] attached at any available point to produce a stablecompound.

A “lower alkylene” is an alkylene containing 1-6 carbon atoms.

A “substituted lower alkylene” is a lower alkylene which isindependently substituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups orsubstitutents as defined in [0079] attached at any available point toproduce a stable compound.

“Alkenyl” refers to a straight chain, branched, or cyclic hydrocarboncontaining 2-20, preferably 2-17, more preferably 2-10, even morepreferably 2-8, most preferably 2-4, carbon atoms, and which contains atleast one, preferably 1-3, more preferably 1-2, and most preferably one,carbon to carbon double bond. In the case of a cycloalkyl group,conjugation of more than one carbon to carbon double bond is not such asto confer aromaticity to the ring. Carbon to carbon double bonds may beeither contained within a cycloalkyl portion, with the exception ofcyclopropyl, or within a straight chain or branched portion. Examples ofalkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl,isopropenyl, butenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexenylalkyl, and the like.

A “substituted alkenyl” is an alkenyl which is independently substitutedwith 1 to more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents as defined in[0079], attached at any available point to produce a stable compound.

“Alkynyl” refers to a straight chain or branched hydrocarbon containing2-20, preferably 2-17, more preferably 2-10, even more preferably 2-8,most preferably 2-4, carbon atoms, and which contains at least one,preferably one, carbon to carbon triple bond. Examples of alkynyl groupsinclude, but are not limited to, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, and thelike.

A “substituted alkynyl” is an alkynyl which is independently substitutedwith 1 to more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents as defined in[0079], attached at any available point to produce a stable compound.

“Alkyl alkenyl” refers to the group —R^(a)—CR^(b)═CR^(c)R^(d), whereinR^(a) is lower alkylene, or substituted lower alkylene, R^(b), R^(c),and R^(d) are independently hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, substitutedlower alkyl, acyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl, or substitutedhetaryl.

“Alkyl alkynyl” refers to the group —R^(a)C≡CR^(e) where R^(a) is loweralkyllene or substituted lower alkylene, and R^(e) is hydrogen, loweralkyl, substituted lower alkyl, acyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl,or substituted hetaryl.

“Alkoxy” denotes the group —OR^(f), where R^(f) is lower alkyl,substituted lower alkyl, acyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl,substituted aralkyl, heteroalkyl, substituted heteroalkyl,heteroarylalkyl, substituted heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, orsubstituted cycloheteroalkyl.

“Alkylthio” or “thioalkoxy” refers to the group —S—R, where R is loweralkyl, substituted lower alkyl, acyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl,substituted aralkyl, heteroalkyl, substituted heteroalkyl,heteroarylalkyl, substituted heteroarylalkyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, orsubstituted cycloheteroalkyl.

“Sulfinyl” denotes the group —S(O)—.

“Sulfonyl” denotes the group —S(O)₂—.

“Alkylsulfinyl” denotes the group —S(O)—R^(y), where R^(y) is optionallysubstituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, or optionallysubstituted aralkyl.

“Alkylsulfonyl” denotes the group —S(O)₂-R^(y), where R^(y) isoptionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, oroptionally substituted aralkyl.

“Aminosulfonyl” denotes the group —S(O)₂—NHR^(u), where R^(u) is a bond,hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl.

“Alkylaminosulfonyl” denotes the group —S(O)₂—NR^(v)R^(w), where R^(v)is hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl, and R^(w) isoptionally substituted lower alkyl.

“Arylaminosulfonyl” denotes the group group —S(O)₂—NR^(v)R^(x), whereR^(v) is hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl, and R^(x) isoptionally substituted aryl, or optionally substituted aralkyl.

“Heteroarylaminosulfonyl” denotes the group group —S(O)₂—NR^(v)R^(z),where R^(v) is hydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl, and R^(z)is optionally substituted heteroaryl, or optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl.

“Acyl” denotes the group —C(O)R^(h), where R^(h) is hydrogen, loweralkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, and the like.

“Acyloxy” denotes the group —OC(O)R^(h), where R^(h) is hydrogen, loweralkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, and the like.

“Aryloxy” denotes the group —OAr, where Ar is an aryl, substituted aryl,heteroaryl, or substituted heteroaryl group.

“Heteroaryloxy” denotes groups —OHet, wherein Het is an optionallysubstituted heteroaryl group.

“Amino” or “substituted amine” denotes the group —NR^(i)R^(j), whereinR^(i) and R^(j) are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substitutedlower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl, substituted heteroaryl,acyl or sulfonyl. Further, N, R^(i) and R^(j) may combine to form anoptionally substituted heterocycle.

“Amido” denotes the group —C(O)NR^(k)R^(l), wherein R^(k) and R^(l) areindependently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl, orsubstituted heteroaryl. Further, N, R^(k) and R^(l) may combine to forman optionally substituted heterocycle.

“Thioamido” denotes the group —C(S)NR^(k)R^(l), wherein R^(k) and R^(l)are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl, orsubstituted heteroaryl.

“Sulfonamido” and “sulfonamide” and “sulfamido” denote the group—S(O)₂NR^(k)R^(l), wherein R^(k) and R^(l) are independently hydrogen,lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl, or substituted heteroaryl.

“Amidino” denotes the group —C(═NR^(m))NR^(n)R^(, wherein R) ^(m),R^(n), and R^(o) are independently hydrogen or optionally substitutedlower alkyl.

“Sulfonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)S(O)₂—, wherein R^(q) ishydrogen or optionally substituted lower alkyl.

“Alkylsulfonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)S(O)₂R^(p), wherein R^(p)is optionally substituted alkyl, and R^(q) is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

“Arylsulfonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)S(O)₂R⁵, wherein R^(s) isoptionally substituted aryl, and R^(q) is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

“Heteroarylsulfonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)S(O)₂R^(t), whereinR^(t) is optionally substituted heteroaryl, and R^(q) is hydrogen orlower alkyl.

“Alkylcarbonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)C(O)₂R^(p), wherein R^(p)is optionally substituted alkyl, and R^(q) is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

“Arylcarbonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)C(O)₂R^(s), wherein R^(s)is optionally substituted aryl, and R^(q) is hydrogen or lower alkyl.

“Heteroarylcarbonylamino” denotes the group —NR^(q)C(O)₂R^(t), whereinR^(t) is optionally substituted aryl, and R^(q) is hydrogen or loweralkyl.

“Carboxyl” denotes the group —C(O)OR^(r), wherein R^(r) is hydrogen,lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, hetaryl,or substituted hetaryl.

“Aryl” means phenyl or naphthyl optionally fused with a cycloalkyl ofpreferably 5-7, more preferably 5-6, ring members.

A “substituted aryl” is an aryl which is independently substituted with1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents as defined in[0079], optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl,optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, oroptionally substituted heteroaryl, attached at any available point toproduce a stable compound.

“Carbocycle” means a saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic group having asingle ring or multiple condensed rings composed of linked carbon atoms.The ring(s) can optionally be unsubstituted or substituted with, e.g.,halogen, lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, acetylene, amino, amido,carboxyl, hydroxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle, hetaryl, substitutedhetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfamido, and the like.

“Heterocycle” means a saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic carbocyclicgroup having a single ring (e.g., morpholino, pyridyl or furyl) ormultiple condensed rings (e.g., naphthpyridyl, quinoxalyl, quinolinyl,indolizinyl or benzo[b]thienyl) and having 1 or more, e.g., 1,heteroatom such as N, O or S, within the ring or within one of more ofthe multiple condensed rings.

A “substituted heterocycle” is a heterocycle substituted with 1 or more,e.g., 1, 2, or 3, substituents as defined in [0079], optionallysubstituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionallysubstituted alkynyl, attached at any available point to produce a stablecompound.

“Oxo” refers to an oxygen substituent double bonded to the attachedcarbon.

“Heteroaryl” and “hetaryl” refer to a monocyclic aromatic ring structurecontaining 5 or 6 ring atoms, or a bicyclic aromatic group having 8 to10 atoms, containing one or more, preferably 1-4, more preferably 1-3,even more preferably 1-2, heteroatoms independently selected from thegroup consisting of O, S, and N. Heteroaryl is also intended to includeoxidized S or N, such as sulfinyl, sulfonyl and N-oxide of a tertiaryring nitrogen. A carbon or nitrogen atom is the point of attachment ofthe heteroaryl ring structure such that a stable aromatic ring isretained. Examples of heteroaryl groups are pyridinyl, pyridazinyl,pyrazinyl, quinazolinyl, purinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, oxathiadiazolyl,isothiazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazinyl, furanyl, benzofuryl,indolyl, and the like.

“Substituted heteroaryl” and “substituted hetaryl” refer to a heteroarylwhich is independently substituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3,groups or substituents as defined in [0079], optionally substitutedalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, or optionally substitutedalkynyl, attached at any available point to produce a stable compound.

“Heterocyclyl” means a non-aromatic cycloalkyl group having from 5 to 10atoms in which from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the ring are replaced byheteroatoms, such as O, S or N, and are optionally benzo fused or fusedheteroaryl of 5-6 ring members and/or are optionally substituted as inthe case of cycloalkyl. Heterocycyl is also intended to include oxidizedS or N, such as sulfinyl, sulfonyl and N-oxide of a tertiary ringnitrogen. The point of attachment is at a carbon or nitrogen atom.Examples of heterocyclyl groups are tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydropyridinyl,piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, dihydrobenzofuryl,dihydroindolyl, and the like.

A “substituted hetercyclyl” is a heterocyclyl which is independentlysubstituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups or substituents asdefined in [0079], optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substitutedalkenyl, or optionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any availablepoint to produce a stable compound.

“Aralkyl” refers to the group —R—Ar where Ar is an aryl group and R islower alkylene or substituted lower alkylene group. The arylfunctionality of aralkyl can optionally be unsubstituted or substitutedwith, e.g., halogen, lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, acetylene, amino,amido, carboxyl, hydroxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle, substitutedheterocycle, hetaryl, substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol,sulfamido, and the like.

“Heteroalkyl” and “heterocycloalkyl” refer to the group —R-Het where Hetis a heterocycle group and R is a lower alkylene or substituted loweralkylene group. Heteroalkyl groups can optionally be unsubstituted orsubstituted with e.g., halogen, lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio,acetylene, amino, amido, carboxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle,substituted heterocycle, hetaryl, substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano,thiol, sulfamido, and the like.

“Heteroarylalkyl” and “heteroaralkyl” refer to the group —R-HetAr whereHetAr is an heteroaryl group and R lower alkylene or substituted loweralkylene. Heteroarylalkyl and heteroaralkyl groups can optionally beunsubstituted or substituted with, e.g., halogen, lower alkyl,substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, acetylene, aryl, aryloxy,heterocycle, substituted heterocycle, hetaryl, substituted hetaryl,nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfamido, and the like.

“Cycloheteroalkyl” refers to a cycloalkyl group wherein one or more ofthe ring carbon atoms is replaced with a heteroatom (e.g., N, O, S orP).

A “substituted cycloheteroalkyl” is a cycloheteroalkyl group which isindependently substituted with 1 or more, e.g., 1, 2, or 3, groups orsubstituents as defined in [0079] or optionally substituted alkyl,attached at any available point to produce a stable compound.

“Alkyl cycloalkyl” means the group —R-cycloalk where cycloalk is acycloalkyl group, and R is a lower alkylene or substituted loweralkylene. Cycloalkyl functionalities of alkyl cycloalkyl groups canoptionally be unsubstituted or substituted with e.g. halogen, loweralkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, acetylene, amino, amido, carboxyl, hydroxyl,aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle, substituted heterocycle, hetaryl,substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfamido, and the like.

“Alkyl cycloheteroalkyl” means the group —R-cycloheteroalk wherecycloheteroalk is a cycloheteroalkyl group, and R is a lower alkylene orsubstituted lower alkylene. Cycloheteroalkyl functionalities of alkylcycloheteroalkyl groups can optionally be unsubstituted or substitutedwith e.g. halogen, lower alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, amido,carboxyl, acetylene, hydroxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle, substitutedheterocycle, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol,sulfamido, and the like.

Thus, in a first aspect, the invention relates to novel compounds ofFormula I or II or Formula III as described herein. Unless otherwisespecified, a reference to a particular compound includes all isomericforms, including racemic and other mixtures thereof. Methods for thepreparation (e.g., asymmetric synthesis) and separation (e.g.,fractional crystallisation and chromatographic means) of such isomericforms are either known in the art or are readily obtained by adaptingthe methods taught herein in a known manner. Note that, as discussedbelow in the context of isomers, where unsaturation permits isomers,e.g., cis- and trans, E- and Z-, etc., and combinations thereof, areference to one isomer is to be considered a reference to all suchisomers, unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise specified, areference to a particular compound also includes ionic, salt, solvate(e.g., hydrate), protected forms, and prodrugs thereof, for example, asdiscussed below.

An additional aspect of this invention relates to pharmaceuticalformulations, that include a therapeutically effective amount of acompound of Formula I or II or III (or a compound within a sub-group ofcompounds within any of those generic formulas) and at least onepharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

In particular embodiments, the composition includes a plurality ofdifferent pharmacalogically active compounds, which can be a pluralityof compounds of Formula I and/or II and/or III, and can also includeother compounds in combination with one or more compounds of Formula Iand/or II and/or III.

A related aspect of this invention relates to pharmaceuticalcompositions that include a compound of Formula I or Formula II orFormula III and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,excipient, or diluent. The composition can include a plurality ofdifferent pharmacalogically active compounds.

In another related aspect, compounds of Formula I or Formula II orFormula III can be used in the preparation of a medicament for thetreatment of a PDE4B-mediated disease or condition.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of treating orprophylaxis of a disease or condition in a mammal, by administering tothe mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula Ior Formula II or Formula III, a prodrug of such compound, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound or prodrug. Thecompound can be administered alone or can be administered as part of acomposition. The term “prodrug,” as used herein, refers to a compoundwhich, when metabolised, yields the desired active compound. Typically,the prodrug is inactive, or less active than the active compound, butmay provide advantageous handling, administration, or metabolicproperties. For example, some prodrugs are esters of the activecompound; during metabolysis, the ester group is cleaved to yield theactive drug. Also, some prodrugs are activated enzymatically to yieldthe active compound, or a compound which, upon further chemicalreaction, yields the active compound.

Thus, in a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for treatinga PDEB4-mediated disease or condition in an animal patient, e.g., amammal such as a human, e.g., a disease or condition characterized byabnormal PDE4B activity. The method involves administering an effectiveamount of a compound of Formula I or Formula II or Formula III, or acomposition comprising a compound of Formula I or Formula II or FormulaIII to a patient in need thereof. An “effective amount” of a compound orcomposition, as used herein, includes within its meaning a non-toxic butsufficient amount of the particular compound or composition to which itis referring to provide the desired therapeutic effect.

As used herein, the term PDE4B-mediated disease or condition refers to adisease or condition in which the biological function of PDE4B affectsthe development and/or course of the disease or condition, and/or inwhich modulation of PDE4B alters the development, course, and/orsymptoms.

In aspects and embodiments involving treatment or prophylaxis of adisease or condition, the disease or condition is for example, withoutlimitation, an acute or chronic pulmonary disease such as obstructivediseases (e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),cystic fibrosis), interstitial lung diseases (e.g. idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis, sarcoidosis), vascular lung diseases (e.g. pulmonaryhypertension), bronchitis, allergic bronchitis, and emphysema.Additional diseases or conditions contemplated for treatment byembodiments of the present invention include for example, withoutlimitation, CNS diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson'sdisease and Huntington's chorea; inflammatory autoimmune diseases suchas multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease as wellas other inflammatory disorders, such as cerebral ischemia, inflammatorybowel disease, and ulcerative colitis; bone disease, such asosteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and Paget's disease; cancers, such asdiffuse large-cell B cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acutelymphoblastic leukemia; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; and pre-termlabor.

The identification of compounds of Formula I, Formula II, and FormulaIII active on PDE4B also provides a method for identifying or developingadditional compounds active on PDE4B, e.g., improved modulators, bydetermining whether any of a plurality of test compounds of Formula I orFormula II or Formula III active on PDE4B provides an improvement in oneor more desired pharmacologic properties relative to a referencecompound active on PDE4B, and selecting a compound if any, that has animprovement in the desired pharmacologic property, thereby providing animproved modulator.

In particular aspects of modulator development, the desiredpharmacologic property is serum half-life longer than 2 hr or longerthan 4 hr or longer than 8 hr, aqeous solubility, oral bioavailabilitymore than 10%, oral bioavailability more than 20%.

Also in particular aspects of modulator development, the referencecompound is a compound of Formula I or Formula II or Formula III. Theprocess can be repeated multiple times, i.e., multiple rounds ofpreparation of derivatives and/or selection of additional relatedcompounds and evaluation of such further derivatives of relatedcompounds, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more additionalrounds.

In additional aspects, structural information about PDE4B is utilizedfor a variety of purposes, e.g., the design of modulators of PDE4Bactivity. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of usingstructural information about PDE4B in conjunction with compounds, suchas Formula I or Formula II or Formula III or a molecular scaffold orscaffold core of Formula I or Formula II or Formula III, in the designof modulators of PDE4B activity. In addition, structural informationabout one or more other PDEs can be utilized, e.g., PDE5A, PDE4D, in thedesign of modulators of PDE4B activity.

The invention also provides a method for developing ligands which bindto a PDE4B. The method includes identifying as molecular scaffolds oneor more compounds that bind to a binding site of the PDE; determiningthe orientation of at least one molecular scaffold in co-crystals withthe PDE; identifying chemical structures of one or more of the molecularscaffolds, that, when modified, alter the binding affinity or bindingspecificity or both between the molecular scaffold and the PDE; andsynthesizing a ligand in which one or more of the chemical structures ofthe molecular scaffold is modified to provide a ligand that binds to thePDE with altered binding affinity or binding specificity or both. Such ascaffold can, for example, be a compound of Formula I or Formula II orFormula III, or include the core of Formula I or Formula II or FormulaIII.

The terms “PDE4B phosphodiesterase” and “PDE4B” mean an enzymaticallyactive phosphodiesterase that contains a portion with greater than 90%amino acid sequence identity to amino acid residues 152-528 (S152-S528)with reference to GenBank polypeptide sequence JC1519 of native PDE4B(SEQ ID NO:1), for a maximal alignment over an equal length segment; orthat contains a portion with greater than 90% amino acid sequenceidentity to at least 200 contiguous amino acids from amino acid residues152-528 of JC1519 of native PDE4B that retains binding to natural PDE4Bligand. Preferably the sequence identity is at least 95, 97, 98, 99, oreven 100%. Preferably the specified level of sequence identity is over asequence at least 300 contiguous amino acid residues in length. Thesequence represented by amino acid residues 152-528 of JC1519 is alsoavailable as S324 to S700 of NP_(—)002591 (encoded by NM_(—)002600, SEQID NO:2), S309 to S685 of AAB96381 (SEQ ID NO:3), and S194 to S570 ofAAA35643 (SEQ ID NO:4). Therefore, amino acid residues identified in oneof the listed sequences can also be expressed as the matching amino acidresidue in any other of the listed sequences or other matching sequence.

The term “PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain” refers to a reduced lengthPDE4B (i.e., shorter than a full-length PDE4B by at least 100 aminoacids) that includes the phosphodiesterase catalytic region in PDE4B.Highly preferably for use in this invention, the phosphodiesterasedomain retains phosphodiesterase activity, preferably at least 50% thelevel of phosphodiesterase activity as compared to the native PDE4B,more preferably at least 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100% of the native activity.

As used herein, the terms “ligand” and “modulator” are used equivalentlyto refer to a compound that up-regulates or down-regulates the activityof a target biomolecule, e.g., an enzyme such as a kinase orphosphodiesterase. Generally a ligand or modulator will be a smallmolecule, where “small molecule” refers to a compound with a molecularweight of 1500 daltons or less, or preferably 1000 daltons or less, 800daltons or less, or 600 daltons or less. Thus, an “improved ligand” isone that possesses better pharmacological and/or pharmacokineticproperties than a reference compound, where “better” can be defined fora particular biological system or therapeutic use. In terms of thedevelopment of ligands from scaffolds, a ligand is a derivative of ascaffold.

As used herein, the term “modulating” or “modulate” refers to an effectof altering a biological activity, especially a biological activityassociated with a particular biomolecule such as PDE4B. For example, anagonist or antagonist of a particular biomolecule modulates the activityof that biomolecule, e.g., an enzyme.

In the context of binding compounds, molecular scaffolds, and ligands,the term “derivative” or “derivative compound” refers to a compoundhaving a chemical structure that contains a common core chemicalstructure as a parent or reference compound, but differs by having atleast one structural difference, e.g., by having one or moresubstituents added and/or removed and/or substituted, and/or by havingone or more atoms substituted with different atoms. Unless clearlyindicated to the contrary, the term “derivative” does not mean that thederivative is synthesized using the parent compound as a startingmaterial or as an intermediate, although in some cases, the derivativemay be synthesized from the parent.

Thus, the term “parent compound” refers to a reference compound foranother compound, having structural features maintained in thederivative compound. Often but not always, a parent compound has asimpler chemical structure than the derivative.

By “chemical structure” or “chemical substructure” is meant anydefinable atom or group of atoms that constitute a part of a molecule.Normally, chemical substructures of a scaffold or ligand can have a rolein binding of the scaffold or ligand to a target molecule, or caninfluence the three-dimensional shape, electrostatic charge, and/orconformational properties of the scaffold or ligand. The term “targetmolecule” embraces proteins which bind ligands, e.g.,phosphodiesterases, including PDE4B.

The term “binds” in connection with the interaction between a target anda potential binding compound indicates that the potential bindingcompound associates with the target to a statistically significantdegree as compared to association with proteins generally (i.e.,non-specific binding). Thus, the term “binding compound” refers to acompound that has a statistically significant association with a targetmolecule. Preferably a binding compound interacts with a specifiedtarget with a dissociation constant (k_(d)) of 1 mM or less. A bindingcompound can bind with “low affinity”, “very low affinity”, “extremelylow affinity”, “moderate affinity”, “moderately high affinity”, or “highaffinity” as described herein.

In the context of compounds binding to a target, the term “greateraffinity” indicates that the compound binds more tightly than areference compound, or than the same compound in a reference condition,i.e., with a lower dissociation constant. In particular embodiments, thegreater affinity is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 500,1000, or 10,000-fold greater affinity.

Also in the context of compounds binding to a biomolecular target, theterm “greater specificity” indicates that a compound binds to aspecified target to a greater extent than to another biomolecule orbiomolecules that may be present under relevant binding conditions,where binding to such other biomolecules produces a different biologicalactivity than binding to the specified target. Typically, thespecificity is with reference to a limited set of other biomolecules,e.g., in the case of PDE4B, other phosphodiesterases (e.g., PDE4D) oreven other type of enzymes. In particular embodiments, the greaterspecificity is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 500, or1000-fold greater specificity.

As used in connection with binding of a compound with a target, the term“interact” indicates that the distance from a bound compound to aparticular amino acid residue will be 5.0 angstroms or less. Inparticular embodiments, the distance from the compound to the particularamino acid residue is 4.5 angstroms or less, 4.0 angstroms or less, or3.5 angstroms or less. Such distances can be determined, for example,using co-crystallography, or estimated using computer fitting of acompound in an active site.

Reference to particular amino acid residues in PDE4B by polypeptideresidue number is defined by the numbering corresponding to NCBI proteinsequence accession number JC1519, as described, for example, inMcLaughlin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268 (9), 6470-6476 (1993); Obernolteet al., Gene 129 (2), 239-247 (1993); and Bolger et al., Mol. Cell.Biol. 13 (10), 6558-6571 (1993). As indicated above, alternate numberingfrom other matching PDE4B sequences can also be used.

In a related aspect, the invention provides a method for developingligands specific for PDE4B, where the method involves determiningwhether a derivative of a compound that binds to a plurality ofphosphodiesterases has greater specificity for the particularphosphodiesterase than the parent compound with respect to otherphosphodiesterases.

As used herein in connection with binding compounds or ligands, the term“specific for PDE4B phosphodiesterase”, “specific for PDE4B” and termsof like import mean that a particular compound binds to PDE4B to astatistically greater extent than to other phosphodiesterases that maybe present in a particular organism. Also, where biological activityother than binding is indicated, the term “specific for PDE4B” indicatesthat a particular compound has greater biological activity associatedwith binding PDE4B than to other phosphodiesterases. Preferably, thespecificity is also with respect to other biomolecules (not limited tophosphodiesterases) that may be present from an organism.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for obtainingimproved ligands which bind PDE4B. The method contemplates identifying acompound that binds to that particular PDE, determining whether thatcompound interacts with one or more conserved active site residues, anddetermining whether a derivative of that compound binds to that PDE withgreater affinity or greater specificity or both than the parent bindingcompound. Binding with greater affinity or greater specificity or boththan the parent compound indicates that the derivative is an improvedligand. This process can also be carried out in successive rounds ofselection and derivatization and/or with multiple parent compounds toprovide a compound or compounds with improved ligand characteristics.Likewise, the derivative compounds can be tested and selected to givehigh selectivity for that PDE, or to give cross-reactivity to aparticular set of targets, for example to a subset of phosphodiesterasesthat includes PDE4B and/or PDE4D. In particular embodiments, known PDE4Binhibitors can be used, and derivatives with greater affinity and/orgreater specificity can be developed, preferably using PDE4B and/orPDE4D structure information; greater specificity for PDE4B relative toPDE4D is developed.

By “molecular scaffold” or “scaffold” is meant a simple target bindingmolecule to which one or more additional chemical moieties can becovalently attached, modified, or eliminated to form a plurality ofmolecules with common structural elements. The moieties can include, butare not limited to, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methyl group, anitro group, a carboxyl group, or any other type of molecular groupincluding, but not limited to, those recited in this application.Molecular scaffolds bind to at least one target molecule, preferably toa plurality of molecules in a protein family, and the target moleculecan preferably be a enzyme, receptor, or other protein. Preferredcharacteristics of a scaffold can include binding at a target moleculebinding site such that one or more substituents on the scaffold aresituated in binding pockets in the target molecule binding site; havingchemically tractable structures that can be chemically modified,particularly by synthetic reactions, so that a combinatorial library canbe easily constructed; having chemical positions where moieties can beattached that do not interfere with binding of the scaffold to a proteinbinding site, such that the scaffold or library members can be modifiedto form ligands, to achieve additional desirable characteristics, e.g.,enabling the ligand to be actively transported into cells and/or tospecific organs, or enabling the ligand to be attached to achromatography column for additional analysis. Thus, a molecularscaffold is an identified target binding molecule prior to modificationto improve binding affinity and/or specificity, or other pharmacalogicproperties.

The term “scaffold core” refers to the underlying chemical structure ofa molecular scaffold onto which various substituents can be attached.Thus, for a number of scaffold molecules of a particular chemical class,the scaffold core is common to all the scaffold molecules. In manycases, the scaffold core includes one or more ring structures.

For Formula I, the scaffold core includes the 5-membered ring, the twoamino group nitrogens, and the —C═Y group; particular Formula I scaffoldcores are described by each selection of X in each combination with eachselection of Y.

For Formula II, the scaffold core includes the 5-membered ring with R¹³and R¹⁴. Particular Formula II scaffold cores are described by eachselection for X, in each combination with each selection of O, S, or Nfor the R¹³ atom attached to the 5-membered ring, in each combinationwith each selection of O, S, N, C for the R¹⁴ atom attached to the5-membered ring.

For Formula III, the scaffold core includes the sulfonamide moiety; incertain embodiments, a scaffold core includes the sulfonamide moietywith the sulfur attached to a five-membered ring, e.g., a thiophene ring(for exampled linked to a C adjacent to the ring sulfur).

By “binding site” is meant an area of a target molecule to which aligand can bind non-covalently. Binding sites embody particular shapesand often contain multiple binding pockets present within the bindingsite. The particular shapes are often conserved within a class ofmolecules, such as a molecular family. Binding sites within a class alsocan contain conserved structures such as, for example, chemicalmoieties, the presence of a binding pocket, and/or an electrostaticcharge at the binding site or some portion of the binding site, all ofwhich can influence the shape of the binding site.

By “binding pocket” is meant a specific volume within a binding site. Abinding pocket can often be a particular shape, indentation, or cavityin the binding site. Binding pockets can contain particular chemicalgroups or structures that are important in the non-covalent binding ofanother molecule such as, for example, groups that contribute to ionic,hydrogen bonding, or van der Waals interactions between the molecules.

By “orientation”, in reference to a binding compound bound to a targetmolecule is meant the spatial relationship of the binding compound(which can be defined by reference to at least some of its consitituentatoms) to the binding pocket and/or atoms of the target molecule atleast partially defining the binding pocket.

In the context of target molecules in this invention, the term “crystal”refers to a regular assemblage of a target molecule of a type suitablefor X-ray crystallography. That is, the assemblage produces an X-raydiffraction pattern when illuminated with a beam of X-rays. Thus, acrystal is distinguished from an aggolmeration or other complex oftarget molecule that does not give a diffraction pattern.

By “co-crystal” is meant a complex of the compound, molecular scaffold,or ligand bound non-covalently to the target molecule and present in acrystal form appropriate for analysis by X-ray or proteincrystallography. In preferred embodiments the target molecule-ligandcomplex can be a protein-ligand complex.

The phrase “alter the binding affinity or binding specificity” refers tochanging the binding constant of a first compound for another, orchanging the level of binding of a first compound for a second compoundas compared to the level of binding of the first compound for thirdcompounds, respectively. For example, the binding specificity of acompound for a particular protein is increased if the relative level ofbinding to that particular protein is increased as compared to bindingof the compound to unrelated proteins.

As used herein in connection with test compounds, binding compounds, andmodulators (ligands), the term “synthesizing” and like terms meanschemical synthesis from one or more precursor materials.

The phrase “chemical structure of the molecular scaffold is modified”means that a derivative molecule has a chemical structure that differsfrom that of the molecular scaffold but still contains common corechemical structural features. The phrase does not necessarily mean thatthe molecular scaffold is used as a precursor in the synthesis of thederivative.

By “assaying” is meant the creation of experimental conditions and thegathering of data regarding a particular result of the experimentalconditions. For example, enzymes can be assayed based on their abilityto act upon a detectable substrate. A compound or ligand can be assayedbased on its ability to bind to a particular target molecule ormolecules.

By a “set” of compounds is meant a collection of compounds. Thecompounds may or may not be structurally related.

In another aspect, structural information about PDE4B can also be usedto assist in determining a structure for another phosphodiesterase bycreating a homology model from an electronic representation of a PDE4Bstructure.

Typically creating such a homology model involves identifying conservedamino acid residues between the known PDE having known structures, e.g.,PDE4B, and the other phosphodiesterase of interest; transferring theatomic coordinates of a plurality of conserved amino acids in the knownstructure to the corresponding amino acids of the otherphosphodiesterase to provide a rough structure of thatphosphodiesterase; and constructing structures representing theremainder of the other phosphodiesterase using electronicrepresentations of the structures of the remaining amino acid residuesin the other phosphodiesterase. In particular, for PDE4B, coordinatesfrom Table 1 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety forall purposes, can be used. Conserved residues in a binding site can beused.

To assist in developing other portions of the phosphodiesterasestructure, the homology model can also utilize, or be fitted with, lowresolution x-ray diffraction data from one or more crystals of thephosphodiesterase, e.g., to assist in linking conserved residues and/orto better specify coordinates for terminal portions of a polypeptide.

The PDE4B structural information used can be for a variety of differentvariants, including full-length wild type, naturally-occurring variants(e.g., allelic variants and splice variants), truncated variants of wildtype or naturally-occurring variants, and mutants of full-length ortruncated wild-type or naturally-occurring variants (that can be mutatedat one or more sites). For example, in order to provide a PDE4Bstructure closer to a variety of other phosphodiesterase structures, amutated PDE4B that includes a mutation to a conserved residue in abinding site can be used.

In another aspect, the invention provides a crystalline form of PDE4B,which may be a reduced length PDE4B such as a phosphodiesterase domain.The crystalline form can contain one or more heavy metal atoms, forexample, atoms useful for X-ray crystallography. The crystalline formcan also include a binding compound in a co-crystal, e.g., a bindingcompound that interacts with one more more conserved active siteresidues in the PDE, or any two, any three, any four, any five, any sixof those residues, and can, for example, be a known PDE inhibitor. SuchPDE crystals can be in various environments, e.g., in a crystallographyplate, mounted for X-ray crystallography, and/or in an X-ray beam. ThePDE may be of various forms, e.g., a wild-type, variant, truncated,and/or mutated form as described herein.

The invention further relates to co-crystals of PDE4B, which may be areduced length PDE, e.g., a phosphodiesterase domain, and a PDE4Bbinding compound. Advantageously, such co-crystals are of sufficientsize and quality to allow structural determination of the PDE to atleast 3 Angstroms, 2.5 Angstroms, 2.0 Angstroms, 1.8 Angstroms, 1.7Angstroms, 1.5 Angstroms, 1.4 Angstroms, 1.3 Angstroms, or 1.2Angstroms. The co-crystals can, for example, be in a crystallographyplate, be mounted for X-ray crystallography and/or in an X-ray beam.Such co-crystals are beneficial, for example, for obtaining structuralinformation concerning interaction between the PDE and bindingcompounds.

In particular embodiments, the binding compound includes the corestructure of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III.

PDE4B binding compounds can include compounds that interact with atleast one of the conserved active site residues in the PDE, or any 2, 3,4, 5, or 6 of those residues. Exemplary compounds that bind to PDE4Binclude compounds described in references cited herein.

Likewise, in additional aspects, methods for obtaining PDE4B crystalsand co-crystals are provided. In one aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a method for obtaining a crystal of PDE4Bphosphodiesterase domain, said method comprising subjecting PDE4Bprotein at 5-20 mg/ml, e.g., 8-12 mg/ml, to crystallization conditionssubstantially equivalent to 30% PEG 400, 0.2M MgCl₂, 0.1M Tris pH 8.5, 1mM binding compound, at 4° C.; or 20% PEG 3000, 0.2M Ca(OAc)₂, 0.1M TrispH 7.0, 1 mM binding compound, 15.9 mg/ml protein at 4° C.; or 1.8M-2.0Mammonium sulphate, 0.1 M CAPS pH 10.0-10.5, 0.2M Lithium sulphate.

Crystallization conditions can be initially identified using a screeningkit, such as a Hampton Research (Riverside, Calif.) screening kit 1.Conditions resulting in crystals can be selected and crystallizationconditions optimized based on the demonstrated crystallizationconditions. To assist in subsequent crystallography, the PDE can beseleno-methionine labeled. Also, as indicated above, the PDE may be anyof various forms, e.g., truncated to provide a phosphodiesterase domain,which can be selected to be of various lengths.

In another aspect, provision of compounds active on PDE4B (such ascompounds developed using methods described herein) also provides amethod for modulating the PDE activity by contacting the PDE with acompound that binds to the PDE and interacts with one more conservedactive site residues. The compound is preferably provided at a levelsufficient to modulate the activity of the PDE by at least 10%, morepreferably at least 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50%. In many embodiments, thecompound will be at a concentration of about 1 μM, 100 μM, or 1 mM, orin a range of 1-100 nM, 100-500 nM, 500-1000 nM, 1-100 μM, 100-500 μM,or 500-1000 μM.

The term “PDE4B activity” refers to a biological activity of PDE4B,particularly including phosphodiesterase activity.

In the context of the use, testing, or screening of compounds that areor may be modulators, the term “contacting” means that the compound(s)are caused to be in sufficient proximity to a particular molecule,complex, cell, tissue, organism, or other specified material thatpotential binding interactions and/or chemical reaction between thecompound and other specified material can occur.

In a related aspect, the invention provides a method for treating apatient suffering from a disease or condition characterized by abnormalPDE4B phosphodiesterase activity. The invention method involvesadministering to the patient an effective amount of a compoundidentified by a method as described herein.

Specific diseases or disorders which might be treated or preventedinclude those described in the Detailed Description herein, and in thereferences cited therein.

As crystals of PDE4B have been developed and analyzed, and binding modesdetermined, another aspect of the present invention relates to anelectronic representation of these PDEs (which may be a reduced lengthPDE), for example, an electronic representation containing atomiccoordinate representations for PDE4B corresponding to the coordinateslisted for PDE4B in Table 1 of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety for all purposes, or a schematic representation such asone showing secondary structure and/or chain folding, and may also showconserved active site residues. The PDE may be wild type, an allelicvariant, a mutant form, or a modified form, e.g., as described herein.

The electronic representation can also be modified by replacingelectronic representations of particular residues with electronicrepresentations of other residues. Thus, for example, an electronicrepresentation containing atomic coordinate representationscorresponding to the coordinates for PDE4B listed in Table 1, 2, 3, or 4of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes,can be modified by the replacement of coordinates for a particularconserved residue in a binding site by a different amino acid. Followinga modification or modifications, the representation of the overallstructure can be adjusted to allow for the known interactions that wouldbe affected by the modification or modifications. In most cases, amodification involving more than one residue will be performed in aniterative manner.

In addition, an electronic representation of a PDE4B binding compound ora test compound in the binding site can be included, e.g., anon-hydrolyzable cAMP analog or a compound including the core structureof sildenafil.

Likewise, in a related aspect, the invention relates to an electronicrepresentation of a portion of PDE4B, which can be a binding site (whichcan be an active site) or phosphodiesterase domain, for example, PDE4Bresidues 152-528 of JC1519, or other phosphodiesterase domain describedherein. A binding site or phosphodiesterase domain can be represented invarious ways, e.g., as representations of atomic coordinates of residuesaround the binding site and/or as a binding site surface contour, andcan include representations of the binding character of particularresidues at the binding site, e.g., conserved residues. The binding sitepreferably includes no more than 1 heavy metal atom; a binding compoundor test compound such as a compound including the core structure ofFormula I, Formula II, or Formula III may be present in the bindingsite; the binding site may be of a wild type, variant, mutant form, ormodified form of PDE4B; the electronic representation includesrepresentations coordinates of conserved residues as for example givenin Table 1, 2, 3, or 4 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435,filed May 6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

In yet another aspect, the structural and sequence information of PDE4Bcan be used in a homology model for another PDE. It is helpful if highresolution structural information for PDE4B is used for such a model,e.g., at least 1.7, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, or 1.2 Angstrom resolution.

In still another aspect, the invention provides an electronicrepresentation of a modified PDE4B crystal structure, that includes anelectronic representation of the atomic coordinates of a modified PDE4Bbased on the atomic coordinates of Table 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. In anexemplary embodiment, atomic coordinates can be modified by thereplacement of atomic coordinates for a conserved residue with atomiccoordinates for a different amino acid. Modifications can includesubstitutions, deletions (e.g., C-terminal and/or N-terminaldetections), insertions (internal, C-terminal, and/or N-terminal) and/orside chain modifications.

In another aspect, the PDE4B structural information provides a methodfor developing useful biological agents based on PDE4B, by analyzing aPDE4B structure to identify at least one sub-structure for forming thebiological agent. Such sub-structures can include epitopes for antibodyformation, and the method includes developing antibodies against theepitopes, e.g., by injecting an epitope presenting composition in amammal such as a rabbit, guinea pig, pig, goat, or horse. Thesub-structure can also include a mutation site at which mutation isexpected to or is known to alter the activity of the PDE4B, and themethod includes creating a mutation at that site. Still further, thesub-structure can include an attachment point for attaching a separatemoiety, for example, a peptide, a polypeptide, a solid phase material(e.g., beads, gels, chromatographic media, slides, chips, plates, andwell surfaces), a linker, and a label (e.g., a direct label such as afluorophore or an indirect label, such as biotin or other member of aspecific binding pair). The method can include attaching the separatemoiety.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for identifyingpotential PDE4B binding compounds by fitting at least one electronicrepresentation of a compound in an electronic representation of the PDEbinding site. The representation of the binding site may be part of anelectronic representation of a larger portion(s) or all of a PDEmolecule or may be a representation of only the catalytic domain or ofthe binding site or active site. The electronic representation may be asdescribed above or otherwise described herein. For PDE4B the electronicrepresentation includes representations of coordinates according toTable 1, 2, 3, or 4 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435,filed May 6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes, in particular residues with coordinatesdiffering significantly from the previously proposed PDE4B structure.

In particular embodiments, the method involves fitting a computerrepresentation of a compound from a computer database with a computerrepresentation of the active site of the PDE, and involves removing acomputer representation of a compound complexed with the PDE moleculeand identifying compounds that best fit the active site based onfavorable geometric fit and energetically favorable complementaryinteractions as potential binding compounds. In particular embodiments,the compound is a known PDE4B inhibitor, e.g., as described in areference cited herein, or a derivative thereof.

In other embodiments, the method involves modifying a computerrepresentation of a compound complexed with the PDE molecule, by thedeletion or addition or both of one or more chemical groups; fitting acomputer representation of a compound from a computer database with acomputer representation of the active site of the PDE molecule; andidentifying compounds that best fit the active site based on favorablegeometric fit and energetically favorable complementary interactions aspotential binding compounds.

In still other embodiments, the method involves removing a computerrepresentation of a compound complexed with the PDE, and searching adatabase for compounds having structural similarity to the complexedcompound using a compound searching computer program or replacingportions of the complexed compound with similar chemical structuresusing a compound construction computer program.

Fitting a compound can include determining whether a compound willinteract with one or more conserved active site residues for the PDE.Compounds selected for fitting or that are complexed with the PDE can,for example, be a known PDE4B inhibitor compound, or a compoundincluding the core structure of such compound.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for attaching aPDE4B binding compound to an attachment component, as well as a methodfor indentifying attachment sites on a PDE4B binding compound. Themethod involves identifying energetically allowed sites for attachmentof an attachment component for the binding compound bound to a bindingsite of PDE4B; and attaching the compound or a derivative thereof to theattachment component at the energetically allowed site. “Energeticallyallowed sites” are regions of the molecule with the property that anyfree energy change associated with the presence of the attachedcomponent should not destablize the binding of the compound to thephosphodiesterase to an extent that will disrupt the binding.

Attachment components can include, for example, linkers (includingtraceless linkers) for attachment to a solid phase or to anothermolecule or other moiety. Such attachment can be formed by synthesizingthe compound or derivative on the linker attached to a solid phasemedium e.g., in a combinatorial synthesis in a plurality of compound.Likewise, the attachment to a solid phase medium can provide an affinitymedium (e.g., for affinity chromatography).

The attachment component can also include a label, which can be adirectly detectable label such as a fluorophore, or an indirectlydetectable such as a member of a specific binding pair, e.g., biotin.

The ability to identify energetically allowed sites on a PDE4B bindingcompound, also, in a related aspect, provides modified binding compoundsthat have linkers attached, preferably at an energetically allowed sitefor binding of the modified compound to PDE4B. The linker can beattached to an attachment component as described above.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a modified PDE4Bpolypeptide that includes a modification that makes the modified PDE4Bmore similar than native PDE4B to another phosphodiesterase, and canalso include other mutations or other modifications. In variousembodiments, the polypeptide includes a full-length PDE4B polypeptide,includes a modified PDE4B binding site, includes at least 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 70, or 80 contiguous amino acid residues derived from PDE4Bincluding a conserved site.

Still another aspect of the invention relates to a method for developinga ligand for a phosphodiesterase that includes conserved residuesmatching any one, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 of conserved PDE4B active siteresidues respectively, by determining whether a compound binds to thephosphodiesterase and interacts with such active site residues in aPDE4B crystal or a PDE4B binding model having coordinates as in Table 1,2, 3, and/or 4 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety forall purposes. The method can also include determining whether thecompound modulates the activity of the phosphodiesterase. Preferably thephosphodiesterase has at least 50, 55, 60, or 70% identity over an equallength phosphodiesterase domain segment.

In particular embodiments, the determining includes computer fitting thecompound in a binding site of the phosphodiesterase and/or the methodincludes forming a co-crystal of the phosphodiesterase and the compound.Such co-crystals can be used for determining the binding orientation ofthe compound with the phosphodiesterase and/or provide structuralinformation on the phosphodiesterase, e.g., on the binding site andinteracting amino acid residues. Such binding orientation and/or otherstructural information can be accomplished using X-ray crystallography.

The invention also provides compounds that bind to and/or modulate(e.g., inhibit) PDE4B phosphodiesterase activity e.g., compoundsidentified by the methods described herein. Accordingly, in aspects andembodiments involving PDE4B binding compounds, molecular scaffolds, andligands or modulators, the compound is a weak binding compound; amoderate binding compound; a strong binding compound; the compoundinteracts with one or more conserved active site residues in the PDE;the compound is a small molecule; the compound binds to a plurality ofdifferent phosphodiesterases (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, or moredifferent phosphodiesterases). In particular, the invention relates tocompounds identified or selected.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method foridentifying a compound having selectivity between PDE4B and PDE4D byutilizing particular differential sites. The method involves analyzingwhether a compound differentially interacts in PDE4B and PDE4D in atleast one of the differential sites, where a differential interaction isindicative of such selectivity. The “differential sites” are identifiedfrom crystal structure comparison and represent sites with differentchemical properties, e.g., charge density, atomic placement, degree ofhydration, and the like, observed in a comparison between the comparedstructures.

In particular embodiments, the analyzing includes fitting an electronicrepresentation of the compound in electronic representations of bindingsites of PDE4B and PDE4D, and determining whether the compounddifferentially interacts based on said fitting; the method involvesselecting an initial compound that binds to both PDE4B and PDE4D,fitting an electronic representation of the initial compound inelectronic representations of binding sites of PDE4B and PDE4D,modifying the electronic representation of the initial compound with atleast one moiety that interacts with at least differentials site, anddetermining whether the modified compound differentially binds to PDE4Band PDE4D; the modified compound binds differentially to a greaterextent than does the initial compound; the method also includes assayinga compound that differentially interacts for differential activity onPDE4B and PDE4D; the initial compound includes the sildenafil scaffoldstructure; the initial compound includes the sildenafil core.

In the various aspects described above that involve atomic coordinatesfor PDE4B in connection with binding compounds, the coordinates areprovided by X-ray crystallographic structures made by the methodsdescribed herein. Those coordinates can then be adjusted usingconventional modeling methods to fit compounds having structuresdifferent from sildenafil, and can thus be used for development of PDE4Bmodulators different from currently described PDE4B modulators. PDE4Bcrystal coordinates provided by the methods described herein can be usedinstead of the previously described PDE4B crystal coordinates.

Additional aspects and embodiments will be apparent from the followingDetailed Description and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides nucleic acid sequence for pET15S (SEQ ID NO: 9) withmulti-cloning site. Protein sequence disclosed as residues 1-21 of SEQID NO: 11.

FIG. 2 provides nucleic acid sequences for PDE4B phosphodiesterasedomain as used in the work described herein. Figure discloses SEQ IDNOS: 16, 10 and 17, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 3 provides amino acid sequences for PDE4B phosphodiesterase domainas used in the work described herein (SEQ ID NO: 11).

FIG. 4 shows the alignment of the phosphodiesterase domains of PDE4B(SEQ ID NO: 12) and PDE4D (SEQ ID NO: 13), with 3 regions that can beexploited for designing selective ligands circled.

FIG. 5 shows a ribbon diagram schematic representation of PDE4Bphosphodiesterase domain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary compounds of Formula I are presented in Table 1A. Table 1Bpresents exemplary activity data for compounds of Formula I. Table 1Cpresents additional exemplary compounds of the invention.

Exemplary compounds of Formula II are presented in Table 2A. Table 2Bshows exemplary activity data for compounds of Formula II.

Table 3A shows exemplary compounds and activity data for compounds ofFormula III. Table 3B presents additional exemplary compounds of theinvention.

Systematic chemical names provided in Tables 1A, 2A, and 3A, wereautomatically generated by the AutoNom 2000 add-in feature of the ISISprogram (Elsevier MDL, San Leandro, Calif.). To the extent that thegraphical depiction of a chemical species and the systematicnomenclature ascribed to said chemical species differ, the graphicaldepiction represents the intended chemical structure.

I. General

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, Formula II, andFormula III that are inhibitors of PDE4B, and the use of PDE4Bphosphodiesterase structures, structural information, and relatedcompositions for developing improved compounds with those structuresthat modulate PDE4B phosphodiesterase activity.

A number of patent publications have concerned PDE4 inhibitors and theiruse. Most such publications have focused on PDE4D. For example, Marfatet al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,168 describes PDE4 inhibitors, especiallyPDE4D inhibitors, and cites additional patent publications that describeadditional PDE4 inhibitors. Such additional publications include Marfatet al., WO 98/45268; Saccoomano et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,891; Pon,U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,557; and Eggleston, WO 99/20625.

Ait Ikhlef et al., U.S. Patent Publ. 20030064374, application Ser. No.10/983,754 describes compounds active on PDE4B and their use intreatment of neurotoxicity, including treatment in neurodegenerativediseases such as Alzheimers' disease, Parkinson's disease, multiplesclerosis, Huntington's chorea, and cerebral ischemia.

Exemplary Diseases Associated with PDE4B.

Modulation of PDE4B has been correlated with treatment of a number ofdifferent diseases and conditions. For example, Ait Ikhlef et al., U.S.Patent Publ. 20030064374, application Ser. No. 10/983,754 describescompounds active on PDE4B and their use in treatment of neurotoxicity,including treatment in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers'disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's chorea,and cerebral ischemia.

Thus, PDE4B modulators can be used for treatment or prophylaxis of suchconditions correlated with PDE4 and in particular PDE4B. Additionalconditions that can be treated include, without limitation, an acute orchronic pulmonary disease such as obstructive diseases (e.g. asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis),interstitial lung diseases (e.g. idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,sarcoidosis), vascular lung diseases (e.g. pulmonary hypertension),bronchitis, allergic bronchitis, and emphysema. Additional diseases orconditions contemplated for treatment by embodiments of the presentinvention include for example, without limitation, CNS diseases such asAlzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea;inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoidarthritis and Crohn's disease as well as other inflammatory disorders,such as cerebral ischemia, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerativecolitis; bone disease, such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and Paget'sdisease; cancers, such as diffuse large-cell B cell lymphoma, chroniclymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; Severe AcuteRespiratory Syndrome; and pre-term labor.

II. Crystalline PDE4B

Crystalline PDE4B includes native crystals, phosphodiesterase domaincrystals, derivative crystals and co-crystals. The native crystalsgenerally comprise substantially pure polypeptides corresponding toPDE4B in crystalline form. PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain crystalsgenerally comprise substantially pure PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain incrystalline form. In connection with the development of inhibitors ofPDE4B phosphodiesterase function, it is advantageous to use PDE4Bphosphodiesterase domain respectively for structural determination,because use of the reduced sequence simplifies structure determination.To be useful for this purpose, the phosphodiesterase domain should beactive and/or retain native-type binding, thus indicating that thephosphodiesterase domain takes on substantially normal 3D structure.

It is to be understood that the crystalline phosphodiesterases andphosphodiesterase domains of the invention are not limited to naturallyoccurring or native phosphodiesterase. Indeed, the crystals of theinvention include crystals of mutants of native phosphodiesterases.Mutants of native phosphodiesterases are obtained by replacing at leastone amino acid residue in a native phosphodiesterase with a differentamino acid residue, or by adding or deleting amino acid residues withinthe native polypeptide or at the N- or C-terminus of the nativepolypeptide, and have substantially the same three-dimensional structureas the native phosphodiesterase from which the mutant is derived.

By having substantially the same three-dimensional structure is meanthaving a set of atomic structure coordinates that have aroot-mean-square deviation of less than or equal to about 2 Å whensuperimposed with the atomic structure coordinates of the nativephosphodiesterase from which the mutant is derived when at least about50% to 100% of the Cα atoms of the native phosphodiesterase domain areincluded in the superposition.

Amino acid substitutions, deletions and additions which do notsignificantly interfere with the three-dimensional structure of thephosphodiesterase will depend, in part, on the region of thephosphodiesterase where the substitution, addition or deletion occurs.In highly variable regions of the molecule, non-conservativesubstitutions as well as conservative substitutions may be toleratedwithout significantly disrupting the three-dimensional, structure of themolecule. In highly conserved regions, or regions containing significantsecondary structure, conservative amino acid substitutions arepreferred. Such conserved and variable regions can be identified bysequence alignment of PDE4B with other phosphodiesterases.

Conservative amino acid substitutions are well known in the art, andinclude substitutions made on the basis of similarity in polarity,charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity and/or theamphipathic nature of the amino acid residues involved. For example,negatively charged amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid;positively charged amino acids include lysine and arginine; amino acidswith uncharged polar head groups having similar hydrophilicity valuesinclude the following: leucine, isoleucine, valine; glycine, alanine;asparagine, glutamine; serine, threonine; phenylalanine, tyrosine. Otherconservative amino acid substitutions are well known in the art.

For phosphodiesterases obtained in whole or in part by chemicalsynthesis, the selection of amino acids available for substitution oraddition is not limited to the genetically encoded amino acids. Indeed,the mutants described herein may contain non-genetically encoded aminoacids. Conservative amino acid substitutions for many of the commonlyknown non-genetically encoded amino acids are well known in the art.Conservative substitutions for other amino acids can be determined basedon their physical properties as compared to the properties of thegenetically encoded amino acids.

In some instances, it may be particularly advantageous or convenient tosubstitute, delete and/or add amino acid residues to a nativephosphodiesterase in order to provide convenient cloning sites in cDNAencoding the polypeptide, to aid in purification of the polypeptide, andfor crystallization of the polypeptide. Such substitutions, deletionsand/or additions which do not substantially alter the three dimensionalstructure of the native phosphodiesterase domain will be apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

It should be noted that the mutants contemplated herein need not allexhibit phosphodiesterase activity. Indeed, amino acid substitutions,additions or deletions that interfere with the phosphodiesteraseactivity but which do not significantly alter the three-dimensionalstructure of the domain are specifically contemplated by the invention.Such crystalline polypeptides, or the atomic structure coordinatesobtained therefrom, can be used to identify compounds that bind to thenative domain. These compounds can affect the activity of the nativedomain.

The derivative crystals of the invention can comprise a crystallinephosphodiesterase polypeptide in covalent association with one or moreheavy metal atoms. The polypeptide may correspond to a native or amutated phosphodiesterase. Heavy metal atoms useful for providingderivative crystals include, by way of example and not limitation, gold,mercury, selenium, etc.

The co-crystals of the invention generally comprise a crystallinephosphodiesterase domain polypeptide in association with one or morecompounds. The association may be covalent or non-covalent. Suchcompounds include, but are not limited to, cofactors, substrates,substrate analogues, inhibitors, allosteric effectors, etc.

III. Three Dimensional Structure Determination Using X-rayCrystallography

X-ray crystallography is a method of solving the three dimensionalstructures of molecules. The structure of a molecule is calculated fromX-ray diffraction patterns using a crystal as a diffraction grating.Three dimensional structures of protein molecules arise from crystalsgrown from a concentrated aqueous solution of that protein. The processof X-ray crystallography can include the following steps:

-   -   (a) synthesizing and isolating (or otherwise obtaining) a        polypeptide;    -   (b) growing a crystal from an aqueous solution comprising the        polypeptide with or without a modulator; and    -   (c) collecting X-ray diffraction patterns from the crystals,        determining unit cell dimensions and symmetry, determining        electron density, fitting the amino acid sequence of the        polypeptide to the electron density, and refining the structure.

Production of Polypeptides

The native and mutated phosphodiesterase polypeptides described hereinmay be chemically synthesized in whole or part using techniques that arewell-known in the art (see, e.g., Creighton (1983) Biopolymers22(1):49-58).

Alternatively, methods which are well known to those skilled in the artcan be used to construct expression vectors containing the native ormutated phosphodiesterase polypeptide coding sequence and appropriatetranscriptional/translational control signals. These methods include invitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques and in vivorecombination/genetic recombination. See, for example, the techniquesdescribed in Maniatis, T (1989). Molecular cloning: A laboratory Manual.Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York. Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryPress; and Ausubel, F. M. et al. (1994) Current Protocols in MolecularBiology. John Wiley & Sons, Secaucus, N.J.

A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to expressthe phosphodiesterase coding sequence. These include but are not limitedto microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinantbacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectorscontaining the phosphodiesterase domain coding sequence; yeasttransformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing thephosphodiesterase domain coding sequence; insect cell systems infectedwith recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containingthe phosphodiesterase domain coding sequence; plant cell systemsinfected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflowermosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or transformed withrecombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing thephosphodiesterase domain coding sequence; or animal cell systems. Theexpression elements of these systems vary in their strength andspecificities.

Depending on the host/vector system utilized, any of a number ofsuitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutiveand inducible promoters, may be used in the expression vector. Forexample, when cloning in bacterial systems, inducible promoters such aspL of bacteriophage λ, plac, ptrp, ptac (ptrp-lac hybrid promoter) andthe like may be used; when cloning in insect cell systems, promoterssuch as the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter may be used; when cloning inplant cell systems, promoters derived from the genome of plant cells(e.g., heat shock promoters; the promoter for the small subunit ofRUBISCO; the promoter for the chlorophyll a/b binding protein) or fromplant viruses (e.g., the 35S RNA promoter of CaMV; the coat proteinpromoter of TMV) may be used; when cloning in mammalian cell systems,promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g.,metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., theadenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter) may be used;when generating cell lines that contain multiple copies of thephosphodiesterase domain DNA, SV4O-, BPV- and EBV-based vectors may beused with an appropriate selectable marker.

Exemplary methods describing methods of DNA manipulation, vectors,various types of cells used, methods of incorporating the vectors intothe cells, expression techniques, protein purification and isolationmethods, and protein concentration methods are disclosed in detail inPCT publication WO 96/18738. This publication is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, including any drawings. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that such descriptions are applicable to the presentinvention and can be easily adapted to it.

Crystal Growth

Crystals are grown from an aqueous solution containing the purified andconcentrated polypeptide by a variety of techniques. These techniquesinclude batch, liquid, bridge, dialysis, vapor diffusion, and hangingdrop methods. McPherson (1982) John Wiley, New York; McPherson (1990)Eur. J. Biochem. 189:1-23; Webber (1991) Adv. Protein Chem. 41:1-36,incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including allfigures, tables, and drawings.

The native crystals of the invention are, in general, grown by addingprecipitants to the concentrated solution of the polypeptide. Theprecipitants are added at a concentration just below that necessary toprecipitate the protein. Water is removed by controlled evaporation toproduce precipitating conditions, which are maintained until crystalgrowth ceases.

For crystals of the invention, exemplary crystallization conditions aredescribed in the Examples. Those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the exemplary crystallization conditions can be varied.Such variations may be used alone or in combination. In addition, othercrystallization conditions may be found, e.g., by using crystallizationscreening plates to identify such other conditions. Those alternateconditions can then be optimized if needed to provide larger or betterquality crystals.

Derivative crystals of the invention can be obtained by soaking nativecrystals in mother liquor containing salts of heavy metal atoms. It hasbeen found that soaking a native crystal in a solution containing about0.1 mM to about 5 mM thimerosal, 4-chloromeruribenzoic acid or KAu(CN)₂for about 2 hr to about 72 hr provides derivative crystals suitable foruse as isomorphous replacements in determining the X-ray crystalstructure.

Co-crystals of the invention can be obtained by soaking a native crystalin mother liquor containing compound that binds the phosphodiesterase,or can be obtained by co-crystallizing the phosphodiesterase polypeptidein the presence of a binding compound.

Generally, co-crystallization of phosphodiesterase and binding compoundcan be accomplished using conditions identified for crystallizing thecorresponding phosphodiesterase without binding compound. It isadvantageous if a plurality of different crystallization conditions havebeen identified for the phosphodiesterase, and these can be tested todetermine which condition gives the best co-crystals. It may also bebeneficial to optimize the conditions for co-crystallization.Alternatively, new crystallization conditions can be determined forobtaining co-crystals, e.g., by screening for crystallization and thenoptimizing those conditions. Exemplary co-crystallization conditions areprovided in the Examples.

Determining Unit Cell Dimensions and the Three Dimensional Structure ofa Polypeptide or Polypeptide Complex

Once the crystal is grown, it can be placed in a glass capillary tube orother mounting device and mounted onto a holding device connected to anX-ray generator and an X-ray detection device. Collection of X-raydiffraction patterns are well documented by those in the art. See, e.g.,Ducruix and Geige, (1992), IRL Press, Oxford, England, and referencescited therein. A beam of X-rays enters the crystal and then diffractsfrom the crystal. An X-ray detection device can be utilized to recordthe diffraction patterns emanating from the crystal. Although the X-raydetection device on older models of these instruments is a piece offilm, modern instruments digitally record X-ray diffraction scattering.X-ray sources can be of various types, but advantageously, a highintensity source is used, e.g., a synchrotron beam source.

Methods for obtaining the three dimensional structure of the crystallineform of a peptide molecule or molecule complex are well known in theart. See, e.g., Ducruix and Geige, (1992), IRL Press, Oxford, England,and references cited therein. The following are steps in the process ofdetermining the three dimensional structure of a molecule or complexfrom X-ray diffraction data.

After the X-ray diffraction patterns are collected from the crystal, theunit cell dimensions and orientation in the crystal can be determined.They can be determined from the spacing between the diffractionemissions as well as the patterns made from these emissions. The unitcell dimensions are characterized in three dimensions in units ofAngstroms (one Å=10⁻¹⁰ meters) and by angles at each vertices. Thesymmetry of the unit cell in the crystals is also characterized at thisstage. The symmetry of the unit cell in the crystal simplifies thecomplexity of the collected data by identifying repeating patterns.Application of the symmetry and dimensions of the unit cell is describedbelow.

Each diffraction pattern emission is characterized as a vector and thedata collected at this stage of the method determines the amplitude ofeach vector. The phases of the vectors can be determined using multipletechniques. In one method, heavy atoms can be soaked into a crystal, amethod called isomorphous replacement, and the phases of the vectors canbe determined by using these heavy atoms as reference points in theX-ray analysis. (Otwinowski, (1991), Daresbury, United Kingdom, 80-86).The isomorphous replacement method usually utilizes more than one heavyatom derivative.

In another method, the amplitudes and phases of vectors from acrystalline polypeptide with an already determined structure can beapplied to the amplitudes of the vectors from a crystalline polypeptideof unknown structure and consequently determine the phases of thesevectors. This second method is known as molecular replacement and theprotein structure which is used as a reference must have a closelyrelated structure to the protein of interest. (Naraza (1994) Proteins11:281-296). Thus, the vector information from a phosphodiesterase ofknown structure, such as those reported herein, are useful for themolecular replacement analysis of another phosphodiesterase with unknownstructure.

Once the phases of the vectors describing the unit cell of a crystal aredetermined, the vector amplitudes and phases, unit cell dimensions, andunit cell symmetry can be used as terms in a Fourier transform function.The Fourier transform function calculates the electron density in theunit cell from these measurements. The electron density that describesone of the molecules or one of the molecule complexes in the unit cellcan be referred to as an electron density map. The amino acid structuresof the sequence or the molecular structures of compounds complexed withthe crystalline polypeptide may then be fitted to the electron densityusing a variety of computer programs. This step of the process issometimes referred to as model building and can be accomplished by usingcomputer programs such as Turbo/FRODO or “O”. (Jones (1985) Methods inEnzymology 115:157-171).

A theoretical electron density map can then be calculated from the aminoacid structures fit to the experimentally determined electron density.The theoretical and experimental electron density maps can be comparedto one another and the agreement between these two maps can be describedby a parameter called an R-factor. A low value for an R-factor describesa high degree of overlapping electron density between a theoretical andexperimental electron density map.

The R-factor is then minimized by using computer programs that refinethe theoretical electron density map. A computer program such as X-PLORcan be used for model refinement by those skilled in the art. (Brünger(1992) Nature 355:472-475.) Refinement may be achieved in an iterativeprocess. A first step can entail altering the conformation of atomsdefined in an electron density map. The conformations of the atoms canbe altered by simulating a rise in temperature, which will increase thevibrational frequency of the bonds and modify positions of atoms in thestructure. At a particular point in the atomic perturbation process, aforce field, which typically defines interactions between atoms in termsof allowed bond angles and bond lengths, Van der Waals interactions,hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions, can beapplied to the system of atoms. Favorable interactions may be describedin terms of free energy and the atoms can be moved over many iterationsuntil a free energy minimum is achieved. The refinement process can beiterated until the R-factor reaches a minimum value.

The three dimensional structure of the molecule or molecule complex isdescribed by atoms that fit the theoretical electron densitycharacterized by a minimum R-value. As is well known in the art, a filecan then be created for the three dimensional structure that defineseach atom by coordinates in three dimensions.

IV. Structures of PDE4B

High-resolution three-dimensional structures and atomic structurecoordinates of crystalline PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain and PDE4Bphosphodiesterase domain co-complexed with exemplary binding compoundsare described. The methods used to obtain the structure coordinates areprovided in the examples. The atomic structure coordinates ofcrystalline PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain are listed in Table 1 of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.Co-crystal coordinates can be used in the same way, e.g., in the variousaspects described herein, as coordinates for the protein by itself, butcan be advantageous because such co-crystals demonstrate or confirm thebinding mode of binding compound, and can also include shifts of proteinatoms in response to the presence of the binding compound.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that atomic structurecoordinates as determined by X-ray crystallography are not withouterror. Thus, it is to be understood that generally any set of structurecoordinates obtained for crystals of PDE, whether native crystals,phosphodiesterase domain crystals, derivative crystals or co-crystals,that have a root mean square deviation (“r.m.s.d.”) of less than orequal to about 1.5 Å when superimposed, using backbone atoms (N, C_(α),C and O), on a subject structure are considered to be identical with thesubject structure when at least about 50% to 100% of the backbone atomsof the crystallized protein are included in the superposition.

V. Uses of the Crystals and Atomic Structure Coordinates

The crystals of the invention, and particularly the atomic structurecoordinates obtained therefrom, have a wide variety of uses. Forexample, the crystals described herein can be used as a starting pointin any of the methods of use for phosphodiesterases known in the art orlater developed. Such methods of use include, for example, identifyingmolecules that bind to the native or mutated catalytic domain ofphosphodiesterases. The crystals and structure coordinates areparticularly useful for identifying ligands that modulatephosphodiesterase activity as an approach towards developing newtherapeutic agents. In particular, the crystals and structuralinformation are useful in methods for ligand development utilizingmolecular scaffolds.

The structure coordinates described herein can be used as phasing modelsfor determining the crystal structures of additional phosphodiesterases,as well as the structures of co-crystals of such phosphodiesterases withligands such as inhibitors, agonists, antagonists, and other molecules.The structure coordinates, as well as models of the three-dimensionalstructures obtained therefrom, can also be used to aid the elucidationof solution-based structures of native or mutated phosphodiesterases,such as those obtained via NMR.

VI. Electronic Representations of Phosphodiesterase Structures

Structural information of phosphodiesterases or portions ofphosphodiesterases (e.g., phosphodiesterase active sites) can berepresented in many different ways. Particularly useful are electronicrepresentations, as such representations allow rapid and convenient datamanipulations and structural modifications. Electronic representationscan be embedded in many different storage or memory media, frequentlycomputer readable media. Examples include without limitations, computerrandom access memory (RAM), floppy disk, magnetic hard drive, magnetictape (analog or digital), compact disk (CD), optical disk, CD-ROM,memory card, digital video disk (DVD), and others. The storage mediumcan be separate or part of a computer system. Such a computer system maybe a dedicated, special purpose, or embedded system, such as a computersystem that forms part of an X-ray crystallography system, or may be ageneral purpose computer (which may have data connection with otherequipment such as a sensor device in an X-ray crystallographic system.In many cases, the information provided by such electronicrepresentations can also be represented physically or visually in two orthree dimensions, e.g., on paper, as a visual display (e.g., on acomputer monitor as a two dimensional or pseudo-three dimensional image)or as a three dimensional physical model. Such physical representationscan also be used, alone or in connection with electronicrepresentations. Exemplary useful representations include, but are notlimited to, the following:

Atomic Coordinate Representation

One type of representation is a list or table of atomic coordinatesrepresenting positions of particular atoms in a molecular structure,portions of a structure, or complex (e.g., a co-crystal). Such arepresentation may also include additional information, for example,information about occupancy of particular coordinates. One such atomiccoordinate representation contains the coordinate information of Table 1of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes, inelectronic form.

Energy Surface or Surface of Interaction Representation

Another representation is an energy surface representation, e.g., of anactive site or other binding site, representing an energy surface forelectronic and steric interactions. Such a representation may alsoinclude other features. An example is the inclusion of representation ofa particular amino acid residue(s) or group(s) on a particular aminoacid residue(s), e.g., a residue or group that can participate inH-bonding or ionic interaction. Such energy surface representations canbe readily generated from atomic coordinate representations using any ofa variety of available computer programs.

Structural Representation

Still another representation is a structural representation, i.e., aphysical representation or an electronic representation of such aphysical representation. Such a structural representation includesrepresentations of relative positions of particular features of amolecule or complex, often with linkage between structural features. Forexample, a structure can be represented in which all atoms are linked;atoms other than hydrogen are linked; backbone atoms, with or withoutrepresentation of sidechain atoms that could participate in significantelectronic interaction, are linked; among others. However, not allfeatures need to be linked. For example, for structural representationsof portions of a molecule or complex, structural features significantfor that feature may be represented (e.g., atoms of amino acid residuesthat can have significant binding interation with a ligand at a bindingsite. Those amino acid residues may not be linked with each other.

A structural representation can also be a schematic representation. Forexample, a schematic representation can represent secondary and/ortertiary structure in a schematic manner. Within such a schematicrepresentation of a polypeptide, a particular amino acid residue(s) orgroup(s) on a residue(s) can be included, e.g., conserved residues in abinding site, and/or residue(s) or group(s) that may interact withbinding compounds. Electronic structural representations can begenerated, for example, from atomic coordinate information usingcomputer programs designed for that function and/or by constructing anelectronic representation with manual input based on interpretation ofanother form of structural information. Physical representations can becreated, for example, by printing an image of a computer-generated imageor by constructing a 3D model.

VII. Structure Determination for Phosphodiesterases with UnknownStructure Using Structural Coordinates

Structural coordinates, such as those set forth in Table 1 of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes, canbe used to determine the three dimensional structures ofphosphodiesterases with unknown structure. The methods described belowcan apply structural coordinates of a polypeptide with known structureto another data set, such as an amino acid sequence, X-raycrystallographic diffraction data, or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)data. Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to determining thethree dimensional structures of modified phosphodiesterases, othernative phosphodiesterases, and related polypeptides.

Structures Using Amino Acid Homology

Homology modeling is a method of applying structural coordinates of apolypeptide of known structure to the amino acid sequence of apolypeptide of unknown structure. This method is accomplished using acomputer representation of the three dimensional structure of apolypeptide or polypeptide complex, the computer representation of aminoacid sequences of the polypeptides with known and unknown structures,and standard computer representations of the structures of amino acids.Homology modeling generally involves (a) aligning the amino acidsequences of the polypeptides with and without known structure; (b)transferring the coordinates of the conserved amino acids in the knownstructure to the corresponding amino acids of the polypeptide of unknownstructure; refining the subsequent three dimensional structure; and (d)constructing structures of the rest of the polypeptide. One skilled inthe art recognizes that conserved amino acids between two proteins canbe determined from the sequence alignment step in step (a).

The above method is well known to those skilled in the art. (Greer(1985) Science 228:1055; Blundell et al. A(1988) Eur. J. Biochem.172:513. An exemplary computer program that can be utilized for homologymodeling by those skilled in the art is the Homology module in theInsight II modeling package distributed by Accelerys Inc.

Alignment of the amino acid sequence is accomplished by first placingthe computer representation of the amino acid sequence of a polypeptidewith known structure above the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide ofunknown structure. Amino acids in the sequences are then compared andgroups of amino acids that are homologous (e.g., amino acid side chainsthat are similar in chemical nature—aliphatic, aromatic, polar, orcharged) are grouped together. This method will detect conserved regionsof the polypeptides and account for amino acid insertions or deletions.Such alignment and/or can also be performed fully electronically usingsequence alignment and analyses software.

Once the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides with known and unknownstructures are aligned, the structures of the conserved amino acids inthe computer representation of the polypeptide with known structure aretransferred to the corresponding amino acids of the polypeptide whosestructure is unknown. For example, a tyrosine in the amino acid sequenceof known structure may be replaced by a phenylalanine, the correspondinghomologous amino acid in the amino acid sequence of unknown structure.

The structures of amino acids located in non-conserved regions are to beassigned manually by either using standard peptide geometries ormolecular simulation techniques, such as molecular dynamics. The finalstep in the process is accomplished by refining the entire structureusing molecular dynamics and/or energy minimization. The homologymodeling method is well known to those skilled in the art and has beenpracticed using different protein molecules. For example, the threedimensional structure of the polypeptide corresponding to the catalyticdomain of a serine/threonine protein kinase, myosin light chain proteinkinase, was homology modeled from the cAMP-dependent protein kinasecatalytic subunit. (Knighton et al. (1992) Science 258:130-135.)

Structures Using Molecular Replacement

Molecular replacement is a method of applying the X-ray diffraction dataof a polypeptide of known structure to the X-ray diffraction data of apolypeptide of unknown sequence. This method can be utilized to definethe phases describing the X-ray diffraction data of a polypeptide ofunknown structure when only the amplitudes are known. X-PLOR is acommonly utilized computer software package used for molecularreplacement. Brunger (1992) Nature 355:472-475. AMORE is another programused for molecular replacement. Navaza (1994) Acta Crystallogr.A50:157-163. Preferably, the resulting structure does not exhibit aroot-mean-square deviation of more than 3 Å.

A goal of molecular replacement is to align the positions of atoms inthe unit cell by matching electron diffraction data from two crystals. Aprogram such as X-PLOR can involve four steps. A first step can be todetermine the number of molecules in the unit cell and define the anglesbetween them. A second step can involve rotating the diffraction data todefine the orientation of the molecules in the unit cell. A third stepcan be to translate the electron density in three dimensions tocorrectly position the molecules in the unit cell. Once the amplitudesand phases of the X-ray diffraction data is determined, an R-factor canbe calculated by comparing electron diffraction maps calculatedexperimentally from the reference data set and calculated from the newdata set. An R-factor between 30-50% indicates that the orientations ofthe atoms in the unit cell are reasonably determined by this method. Afourth step in the process can be to decrease the R-factor to roughly20% by refining the new electron density map using iterative refinementtechniques described herein and known to those or ordinary skill in theart.

Structures Using NMR Data

Structural coordinates of a polypeptide or polypeptide complex derivedfrom X-ray crystallographic techniques can be applied towards theelucidation of three dimensional structures of polypeptides from nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR) data. This method is used by those skilled inthe art. (Wuthrich, (1986), John Wiley and Sons, New York:176-199;Pflugrath et al. (1986) J. Mol. Biol. 189:383-386; Kline et al. (1986)J. Mol. Biol. 189:377-382.) While the secondary structure of apolypeptide is often readily determined by utilizing two-dimensional NMRdata, the spatial connections between individual pieces of secondarystructure are not as readily determinable. The coordinates defining athree-dimensional structure of a polypeptide derived from X-raycrystallographic techniques can guide the NMR spectroscopist to anunderstanding of these spatial interactions between secondary structuralelements in a polypeptide of related structure.

The knowledge of spatial interactions between secondary structuralelements can greatly simplify Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) data fromtwo-dimensional NMR experiments. Additionally, applying thecrystallographic coordinates after the determination of secondarystructure by NMR techniques only simplifies the assignment of NOEsrelating to particular amino acids in the polypeptide sequence and doesnot greatly bias the NMR analysis of polypeptide structure. Conversely,using the crystallographic coordinates to simplify NOE data whiledetermining secondary structure of the polypeptide would bias the NMRanalysis of protein structure.

VIII. Structure-Based Design of Modulators of Phosphodiesterase FunctionUtilizing Structural Coordinates

Structure-based modulator design and identification methods are powerfultechniques that can involve searches of computer databases containing awide variety of potential modulators and chemical functional groups. Thecomputerized design and identification of modulators is useful as thecomputer databases contain more compounds than the chemical libraries,often by an order of magnitude. For reviews of structure-based drugdesign and identification (see Kuntz et al. (1994), Acc. Chem. Res.27:117; Guida (1994) Current Opinion in Struc. Biol. 4: 777; Colman(1994) Current Opinion in Struc. Biol. 4: 868).

The three dimensional structure of a polypeptide defined by structuralcoordinates can be utilized by these design methods, for example, thestructural coordinates of Table 1 of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety for all purposes. In addition, the three dimensionalstructures of phosphodiesterases determined by the homology, molecularreplacement, and NMR techniques described herein can also be applied tomodulator design and identification methods.

For identifying modulators, structural information for a nativephosphodiesterase, in particular, structural information for the activesite of the phosphodiesterase, can be used. However, it may beadvantageous to utilize structural information from one or moreco-crystals of the phosphodiesterase with one or more binding compounds.It can also be advantageous if the binding compound has a structuralcore in common with test compounds.

Design by Searching Molecular Data Bases

One method of rational design searches for modulators by docking thecomputer representations of compounds from a database of molecules.Publicly available databases include, for example:

-   -   a) ACD from Molecular Designs Limited    -   b) NCI from National Cancer Institute    -   c) CCDC from Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center    -   d) CAST from Chemical Abstract Service    -   e) Derwent from Derwent Information Limited    -   f) Maybridge from Maybridge Chemical Company LTD    -   g) Aldrich from Aldrich Chemical Company    -   h) Directory of Natural Products from Chapman & Hall

One such data base (ACD distributed by Molecular Designs LimitedInformation Systems) contains compounds that are synthetically derivedor are natural products. Methods available to those skilled in the artcan convert a data set represented in two dimensions to one representedin three dimensions. These methods are enabled by such computer programsas CONCORD from Tripos Associates or DE-Converter from MolecularSimulations Limited.

Multiple methods of structure-based modulator design are known to thosein the art. (Kuntz et al., (1982), J. Mol. Biol. 162: 269; Kuntz et aZ.,(1994), Acc. Chern. Res. 27: 117; Meng et al., (1992), J. Compt. Chem.13: 505; Bohm, (1994), J. Comp. Aided Molec. Design 8: 623.)

A computer program widely utilized by those skilled in the art ofrational modulator design is DOCK from the University of California inSan Francisco. The general methods utilized by this computer program andprograms like it are described in three applications below. Moredetailed information regarding some of these techniques can be found inthe Accelerys User Guide, 1995. A typical computer program used for thispurpose can perform a processes comprising the following steps orfunctions:

-   -   (a) remove the existing compound from the protein;    -   (b) dock the structure of another compound into the active-site        using the computer program (such as DOCK) or by interactively        moving the compound into the active-site;    -   (c) characterize the space between the compound and the        active-site atoms;    -   (d) search libraries for molecular fragments which (i) can fit        into the empty space between the compound and the active-site,        and (ii) can be linked to the compound; and    -   (e) link the fragments found above to the compound and evaluate        the new modified compound.

Part (c) refers to characterizing the geometry and the complementaryinteractions formed between the atoms of the active site and thecompounds. A favorable geometric fit is attained when a significantsurface area is shared between the compound and active-site atomswithout forming unfavorable steric interactions. One skilled in the artwould note that the method can be performed by skipping parts (d) and(e) and screening a database of many compounds.

Structure-based design and identification of modulators ofphosphodiesterase function can be used in conjunction with assayscreening. As large computer databases of compounds (around 10,000compounds) can be searched in a matter of hours or even less, thecomputer-based method can narrow the compounds tested as potentialmodulators of phosphodiesterase function in biochemical or cellularassays.

The above descriptions of structure-based modulator design are not allencompassing and other methods are reported in the literature and can beused, e.g.:

-   -   (1) CAVEAT: Bartlett et al.,(1989), in Chemical and Biological        Problems in Molecular Recognition, Roberts, S. M.; Ley, S. V.;        Campbell, M. M. eds.; Royal Society of Chemistry: Cambridge, pp.        182-196.    -   (2) FLOG: Miller et al., (1994), J. Comp. Aided Molec. Design        8:153.    -   (3) PRO Modulator: Clark et al., (1995), J. Comp. Aided Molec.        Design 9:13.    -   (4) MCSS: Miranker and Karplus, (1991), Proteins: Structure,        Function, and Genetics 11:29.    -   (5) AUTODOCK: Goodsell and Olson, (1990), Proteins: Structure,        Function, and Genetics 8:195.    -   (6) GRID: Goodford, (1985), J. Med. Chem. 28:849.

Design by Modifying Compounds in Complex with PDE4B

Another way of identifying compounds as potential modulators is tomodify an existing modulator in the polypeptide active site. Forexample, the computer representation of modulators can be modifiedwithin the computer representation of a PDE4B active site. Detailedinstructions for this technique can be found, for example, in theAccelerys User Manual, 1995 in LUDI. The computer representation of themodulator is typically modified by the deletion of a chemical group orgroups or by the addition of a chemical group or groups.

Upon each modification to the compound, the atoms of the modifiedcompound and active site can be shifted in conformation and the distancebetween the modulator and the active-site atoms may be scored along withany complementary interactions formed between the two molecules. Scoringcan be complete when a favorable geometric fit and favorablecomplementary interactions are attained. Compounds that have favorablescores are potential modulators.

Design by Modifying the Structure of Compounds that Bind PDE4B

A third method of structure-based modulator design is to screencompounds designed by a modulator building or modulator searchingcomputer program. Examples of these types of programs can be found inthe Molecular Simulations Package, Catalyst. Descriptions for using thisprogram are documented in the Molecular Simulations User Guide (1995).Other computer programs used in this application are ISIS/HOST,ISIS/BASE, ISIS/DRAW) from Molecular Designs Limited and UNITY fromTripos Associates.

These programs can be operated on the structure of a compound that hasbeen removed from the active site of the three dimensional structure ofa compound-phosphodiesterase complex. Operating the program on such acompound is preferable since it is in a biologically activeconformation.

A modulator construction computer program is a computer program that maybe used to replace computer representations of chemical groups in acompound complexed with a phosphodiesterase or other biomolecule withgroups from a computer database. A modulator searching computer programis a computer program that may be used to search computerrepresentations of compounds from a computer data base that have similarthree dimensional structures and similar chemical groups as compoundbound to a particular biomolecule.

A typical program can operate by using the following general steps:

-   -   (a) map the compounds by chemical features such as by hydrogen        bond donors or acceptors, hydrophobic/lipophilic sites,        positively ionizable sites, or negatively ionizable sites;    -   (b) add geometric constraints to the mapped features; and    -   (c) search databases with the model generated in (b).

Those skilled in the art also recognize that not all of the possiblechemical features of the compound need be present in the model of (b).One can use any subset of the model to generate different models fordata base searches.

Modulator Design Using Molecular Scaffolds

The present invention can also advantageously utilize methods fordesigning compounds, designated as molecular scaffolds, that can actbroadly across families of molecules and/or for using a molecularscaffold to design ligands that target individual or multiple members ofthose families. Such design using molecular scaffolds is described inHirth and Milburn, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/377,268, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such design anddevelopment using molecular scaffolds is described, in part, below.

In preferred embodiments, the molecules can be proteins and a set ofchemical compounds can be assembled that have properties such that theyare 1) chemically designed to act on certain protein families and/or 2)behave more like molecular scaffolds, meaning that they have chemicalsubstructures that make them specific for binding to one or moreproteins in a family of interest. Alternatively, molecular scaffolds canbe designed that are preferentially active on an individual targetmolecule.

Useful chemical properties of molecular scaffolds can include one ormore of the following characteristics, but are not limited thereto: anaverage molecular weight below about 350 daltons, or between from about150 to about 350 daltons, or from about 150 to about 300 daltons; havinga clogP below 3; a number of rotatable bonds of less than 4; a number ofhydrogen bond donors and acceptors below 5 or below 4; a polar surfacearea of less than 50 Å²; binding at protein binding sites in anorientation so that chemical substituents from a combinatorial librarythat are attached to the scaffold can be projected into pockets in theprotein binding site; and possessing chemically tractable structures atits substituent attachment points that can be modified, thereby enablingrapid library construction.

By “clog P” is meant the calculated log P of a compound, “P” referringto the partition coefficient between octanol and water.

The term “Molecular Polar Surface Area (PSA)” refers to the sum ofsurface contributions of polar atoms (usually oxygens, nitrogens andattached hydrogens) in a molecule. The polar surface area has been shownto correlate well with drug transport properties, such as intestinalabsorption, or blood-brain barrier penetration.

Additional useful chemical properties of distinct compounds forinclusion in a combinatorial library include the ability to attachchemical moieties to the compound that will not interfere with bindingof the compound to at least one protein of interest, and that willimpart desirable properties to the library members, for example, causingthe library members to be actively transported to cells and/or organs ofinterest, or the ability to attach to a device such as a chromatographycolumn (e.g., a streptavidin column through a molecule such as biotin)for uses such as tissue and proteomics profiling purposes.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will realize other properties thatcan be desirable for the scaffold or library members to have dependingon the particular requirements of the use, and that compounds with theseproperties can also be sought and identified in like manner. Methods ofselecting compounds for assay are known to those of ordinary skill inthe art, for example, methods and compounds described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,288,234, 6,090,912, 5,840,485, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, including all charts and drawings.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods ofdesigning ligands that bind to a plurality of members of a molecularfamily, where the ligands contain a common molecular scaffold. Thus, acompound set can be assayed for binding to a plurality of members of amolecular family, e.g., a protein family. One or more compounds thatbind to a plurality of family members can be identified as molecularscaffolds. When the orientation of the scaffold at the binding site ofthe target molecules has been determined and chemically tractablestructures have been identified, a set of ligands can be synthesizedstarting with one or a few molecular scaffolds to arrive at a pluralityof ligands, wherein each ligand binds to a separate target molecule ofthe molecular family with altered or changed binding affinity or bindingspecificity relative to the scaffold. Thus, a plurality of drug leadmolecules can be designed to preferentially target individual members ofa molecular family based on the same molecular scaffold, and act on themin a specific manner.

IX. Binding Assays

The methods of the present invention can involve assays that are able todetect the binding of compounds to a target molecule. Such binding is ata statistically significant level, preferably with a confidence level ofat least 90%, more preferably at least 95, 97, 98, 99% or greaterconfidence level that the assay signal represents binding to the targetmolecule, i.e., is distinguished from background. Preferably controlsare used to distinguish target binding from non-specific binding. Theassays of the present invention can also include assaying compounds forlow affinity binding to the target molecule. A large variety of assaysindicative of binding are known for different target types and can beused for this invention. Compounds that act broadly across proteinfamilies are not likely to have a high affinity against individualtargets, due to the broad nature of their binding. Thus, assaysdescribed herein allow for the identification of compounds that bindwith low affinity, very low affinity, and extremely low affinity.Therefore, potency (or binding affinity) is not the primary, nor eventhe most important, indicia of identification of a potentially usefulbinding compound. Rather, even those compounds that bind with lowaffinity, very low affinity, or extremely low affinity can be consideredas molecular scaffolds that can continue to the next phase of the liganddesign process.

By binding with “low affinity” is meant binding to the target moleculewith a dissociation constant (k_(d)) of greater than 1 μM under standardconditions. By binding with “very low affinity” is meant binding with ak_(d) of above about 100 μM under standard conditions. By binding with“extremely low affinity” is meant binding at a k_(d) of above about 1 mMunder standard conditions. By “moderate affinity” is meant binding witha k_(d) of from about 200 nM to about 1 μM under standard conditions. By“moderately high affinity” is meant binding at a k_(d) of from about 1nM to about 200 nM. By binding at “high affinity” is meant binding at ak_(d) of below about 1 nM under standard conditions. For example, lowaffinity binding can occur because of a poorer fit into the binding siteof the target molecule or because of a smaller number of non-covalentbonds, or weaker covalent bonds present to cause binding of the scaffoldor ligand to the binding site of the target molecule relative toinstances where higher affinity binding occurs. The standard conditionsfor binding are at pH 7.2 at 37° C. for one hour. For example, 100μl/well can be used in HEPES 50 mM buffer at pH 7.2, NaCl 15 mM, ATP 2μM, and bovine serum albumin 1 ug/well, 37° C. for one hour.

Binding compounds can also be characterized by their effect on theactivity of the target molecule. Thus, a “low activity” compound has aninhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) or excitation concentration (EC₅₀) ofgreater than 1 μM under standard conditions. By “very low activity” ismeant an IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ of above 100 μM under standard conditions. By“extremely low activity” is meant an IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ of above 1 mM understandard conditions. By “moderate activity” is meant an IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ of200 nM to 1 μM under standard conditions. By “moderately high activity”is meant an IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ of 1 nM to 200 nM. By “high activity” is meantan IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ of below 1 nM under standard conditions. The IC₅₀ (orEC₅₀) is defined as the concentration of compound at which 50% of theactivity of the target molecule (e.g., enzyme or other protein) activitybeing measured is lost (or gained) relative to activity when no compoundis present. Activity can be measured using methods known to those ofordinary skill in the art, e.g., by measuring any detectable product orsignal produced by occurrence of an enzymatic reaction, or otheractivity by a protein being measured.

By “background signal” in reference to a binding assay is meant thesignal that is recorded under standard conditions for the particularassay in the absence of a test compound, molecular scaffold, or ligandthat binds to the target molecule. Persons of ordinary skill in the artwill realize that accepted methods exist and are widely available fordetermining background signal.

By “standard deviation” is meant the square root of the variance. Thevariance is a measure of how spread out a distribution is. It iscomputed as the average squared deviation of each number from its mean.For example, for the numbers 1, 2, and 3, the mean is 2 and the varianceis:

$\sigma^{2} = {\frac{\left( {1 - 2} \right)^{2} + \left( {2 - 2} \right)^{2} + \left( {3 - 2} \right)^{2}}{3} = {0.667.}}$

To design or discover scaffolds that act broadly across proteinfamilies, proteins of interest can be assayed against a compoundcollection or set. The assays can preferably be enzymatic or bindingassays. In some embodiments it may be desirable to enhance thesolubility of the compounds being screened and then analyze allcompounds that show activity in the assay, including those that bindwith low affinity or produce a signal with greater than about threetimes the standard deviation of the background signal. The assays can beany suitable assay such as, for example, binding assays that measure thebinding affinity between two binding partners. Various types ofscreening assays that can be useful in the practice of the presentinvention are known in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,763,198, 5,747,276, 5,877,007, 6,243,980, 6,294,330, and6,294,330, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, including all charts and drawings.

In various embodiments of the assays at least one compound, at leastabout 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, orat least about 25% of the compounds can bind with low affinity. Ingeneral, up to about 20% of the compounds can show activity in thescreening assay and these compounds can then be analyzed directly withhigh-throughput co-crystallography, computational analysis to group thecompounds into classes with common structural properties (e.g.,structural core and/or shape and polarity characteristics), and theidentification of common chemical structures between compounds that showactivity.

The person of ordinary skill in the art will realize that decisions canbe based on criteria that are appropriate for the needs of theparticular situation, and that the decisions can be made by computersoftware programs. Classes can be created containing almost any numberof scaffolds, and the criteria selected can be based on increasinglyexacting criteria until an arbitrary number of scaffolds is arrived atfor each class that is deemed to be advantageous.

Surface Plasmon Resonance

Binding parameters can be measured using surface plasmon resonance, forexample, with a BIAcore® chip (Biacore, Japan) coated with immobilizedbinding components. Surface plasmon resonance is used to characterizethe microscopic association and dissociation constants of reactionbetween an sFv or other ligand directed against target molecules. Suchmethods are generally described in the following references which areincorporated herein by reference. Vely F. et al., (2000) BIAcore®analysis to test phosphopeptide-SH2 domain interactions, Methods inMolecular Biology. 121:313-21; Liparoto et al., (1999) Biosensoranalysis of the interleukin-2 receptor complex, Journal of MolecularRecognition. 12:316-21; Lipschultz et al., (2000) Experimental designfor analysis of complex kinetics using surface plasmon resonance,Methods. 20(3):310-8; Malmqvist., (1999) BIACORE: an affinity biosensorsystem for characterization of biomolecular interactions, BiochemicalSociety Transactions 27:335-40; Alfthan, (1998) Surface plasmonresonance biosensors as a tool in antibody engineering, Biosensors &Bioelectronics. 13:653-63; Fivash et al., (1998) BIAcore formacromolecular interaction, Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 9:97-101;Price et al.; (1998) Summary report on the ISOBM TD-4 Workshop: analysisof 56 monoclonal antibodies against the MUC1 mucin. Tumour Biology 19Suppl 1:1-20; Malmqvist et al, (1997) Biomolecular interaction analysis:affinity biosensor technologies for functional analysis of proteins,Current Opinion in Chemical Biology. 1:378-83; O'Shannessy et al.,(1996) Interpretation of deviations from pseudo-first-order kineticbehavior in the characterization of ligand binding by biosensortechnology, Analytical Biochemistry. 236:275-83; Malmborg et al., (1995)BIAcore as a tool in antibody engineering, Journal of ImmunologicalMethods. 183:7-13; Van Regenmortel, (1994) Use of biosensors tocharacterize recombinant proteins, Developments in BiologicalStandardization. 83:143-51; and O'Shannessy, (1994) Determination ofkinetic rate and equilibrium binding constants for macromolecularinteractions: a critique of the surface plasmon resonance literature,Current Opinions in Biotechnology. 5:65-71.

BIAcore® uses the optical properties of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)to detect alterations in protein concentration bound to a dextran matrixlying on the surface of a gold/glass sensor chip interface, a dextranbiosensor matrix. In brief, proteins are covalently bound to the dextranmatrix at a known concentration and a ligand for the protein is injectedthrough the dextran matrix. Near infrared light, directed onto theopposite side of the sensor chip surface is reflected and also inducesan evanescent wave in the gold film, which in turn, causes an intensitydip in the reflected light at a particular angle known as the resonanceangle. If the refractive index of the sensor chip surface is altered(e.g., by ligand binding to the bound protein) a shift occurs in theresonance angle. This angle shift can be measured and is expressed asresonance units (RUs) such that 1000 RUs is equivalent to a change insurface protein concentration of 1 ng/mm². These changes are displayedwith respect to time along the y-axis of a sensorgram, which depicts theassociation and dissociation of any biological reaction.

High Throughput Screening (HTS) Assays

HTS typically uses automated assays to search through large numbers ofcompounds for a desired activity. Typically HTS assays are used to findnew drugs by screening for chemicals that act on a particular enzyme ormolecule. For example, if a chemical inactivates an enzyme it mightprove to be effective in preventing a process in a cell which causes adisease. High throughput methods enable researchers to assay thousandsof different chemicals against each target molecule very quickly usingrobotic handling systems and automated analysis of results.

As used herein, “high throughput screening” or “HTS” refers to the rapidin vitro screening of large numbers of compounds (libraries); generallytens to hundreds of thousands of compounds, using robotic screeningassays. Ultra high-throughput Screening (uHTS) generally refers to thehigh-throughput screening accelerated to greater than 100,000 tests perday.

To achieve high-throughput screening, it is advantageous to housesamples on a multicontainer carrier or platform. A multicontainercarrier facilitates measuring reactions of a plurality of candidatecompounds simultaneously. Multi-well microplates may be used as thecarrier. Such multi-well microplates, and methods for their use innumerous assays, are both known in the art and commercially available.

Screening assays may include controls for purposes of calibration andconfirmation of proper manipulation of the components of the assay.Blank wells that contain all of the reactants but no member of thechemical library are usually included. As another example, a knowninhibitor (or activator) of an enzyme for which modulators are sought,can be incubated with one sample of the assay, and the resultingdecrease (or increase) in the enzyme activity used as a comparator orcontrol. It will be appreciated that modulators can also be combinedwith the enzyme activators or inhibitors to find modulators whichinhibit the enzyme activation or repression that is otherwise caused bythe presence of the known the enzyme modulator. Similarly, when ligandsto a sphingolipid target are sought, known ligands of the target can bepresent in control/calibration assay wells.

Measuring Enzymatic and Binding Reactions During Screening Assays

Techniques for measuring the progression of enzymatic and bindingreactions, e.g., in multicontainer carriers, are known in the art andinclude, but are not limited to, the following.

Spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric assays are well known in theart. Examples of such assays include the use of colorimetric assays forthe detection of peroxides, as described in Gordon, A. J. and Ford, R.A., (1972) The Chemist's Companion: A Handbook Of Practical Data,Techniques, And References, John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., Page 437.

Fluorescence spectrometry may be used to monitor the generation ofreaction products. Fluorescence methodology is generally more sensitivethan the absorption methodology. The use of fluorescent probes is wellknown to those skilled in the art. For reviews, see Bashford et al.,(1987) Spectrophotometry and Spectrofluorometry: A Practical Approach,pp. 91-114, IRL Press Ltd.; and Bell, (1981) Spectroscopy InBiochemistry, Vol. I, pp. 155-194, CRC Press.

In spectrofluorometric methods, enzymes are exposed to substrates thatchange their intrinsic fluorescence when processed by the target enzyme.Typically, the substrate is nonfluorescent and is converted to afluorophore through one or more reactions. As a non-limiting example,SMase activity can be detected using the Amplex® Red reagent (MolecularProbes, Eugene, Oreg.). In order to measure sphingomyelinase activityusing Amplex® Red, the following reactions occur. First, SMasehydrolyzes sphingomyelin to yield ceramide and phosphorylcholine.Second, alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes phosphorylcholine to yieldcholine. Third, choline is oxidized by choline oxidase to betaine.Finally, H₂O₂, in the presence of horseradish peroxidase, reacts withAmplex® Red to produce the fluorescent product, Resorufin, and thesignal therefrom is detected using spectrofluorometry.

Fluorescence polarization (FP) is based on a decrease in the speed ofmolecular rotation of a fluorophore that occurs upon binding to a largermolecule, such as a receptor protein, allowing for polarized fluorescentemission by the bound ligand. FP is empirically determined by measuringthe vertical and horizontal components of fluorophore emission followingexcitation with plane polarized light. Polarized emission is increasedwhen the molecular rotation of a fluorophore is reduced. A fluorophoreproduces a larger polarized signal when it is bound to a larger molecule(i.e. a receptor), slowing molecular rotation of the fluorophore. Themagnitude of the polarized signal relates quantitatively to the extentof fluorescent ligand binding. Accordingly, polarization of the “bound”signal depends on maintenance of high affinity binding.

FP is a homogeneous technology and reactions are very rapid, takingseconds to minutes to reach equilibrium. The reagents are stable, andlarge batches may be prepared, resulting in high reproducibility.Because of these properties, FP has proven to be highly automatable,often performed with a single incubation with a single, premixed,tracer-receptor reagent. For a review, see Owickiet al., (1997),Application of Fluorescence Polarization Assays in High-ThroughputScreening, Genetic Engineering News, 17:27.

FP is particularly desirable since its readout is independent of theemission intensity (Checovich, W. J., et al., (1995) Nature 375:254-256;Dandliker, W. B., et al., (1981) Methods in Enzymology 74:3-28) and isthus insensitive to the presence of colored compounds that quenchfluorescence emission. FP and FRET (see below) are well-suited foridentifying compounds that block interactions between sphingolipidreceptors and their ligands. See, for example, Parker et al., (2000)Development of high throughput screening assays using fluorescencepolarization: nuclear receptor-ligand-binding and kinase/phosphataseassays, J Biomol Screen 5:77-88.

Fluorophores derived from sphingolipids that may be used in FP assaysare commercially available. For example, Molecular Probes (Eugene,Oreg.) currently sells sphingomyelin and one ceramide flurophores. Theseare, respectively,N-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)sphingosylphosphocholine (BODIPY® FL C5-sphingomyelin);N-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-dodecanoyl)sphingosylphosphocholine (BODIPY® FL C12-sphingomyelin); andN-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)sphingosine(BODIPY® FL C5-ceramide). U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,949, (Immunoassay forgentamicin), discloses fluorescein-labelled gentamicins, includingfluoresceinthiocarbanyl gentamicin. Additional fluorophores may beprepared using methods well known to the skilled artisan.

Exemplary normal-and-polarized fluorescence readers include thePOLARION® fluorescence polarization system (Tecan AG, Hombrechtikon,Switzerland). General multiwell plate readers for other assays areavailable, such as the VERSAMAX® reader and the SPECTRAMAX® multiwellplate spectrophotometer (both from Molecular Devices).

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is another useful assayfor detecting interaction and has been described. See, e.g., Heim etal., (1996) Curr. Biol. 6:178-182; Mitra et al., (1996) Gene 173:13-17;and Selvin et al., (1995) Meth. Enzymol. 246:300-345. FRET detects thetransfer of energy between two fluorescent substances in closeproximity, having known excitation and emission wavelengths. As anexample, a protein can be expressed as a fusion protein with greenfluorescent protein (GFP). When two fluorescent proteins are inproximity, such as when a protein specifically interacts with a targetmolecule, the resonance energy can be transferred from one excitedmolecule to the other. As a result, the emission spectrum of the sampleshifts, which can be measured by a fluorometer, such as a FMAX multiwellfluorometer (Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale Calif.).

Scintillation proximity assay (SPA) is a particularly useful assay fordetecting an interaction with the target molecule. SPA is widely used inthe pharmaceutical industry and has been described (Hanselman et al.,(1997) J. Lipid Res. 38:2365-2373; Kahl et al., (1996) Anal. Biochem.243:282-283; Undenfriend et al., (1987) Anal. Biochem. 161:494-500). Seealso U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,626,513 and 4,568,649, and European Patent No.0,154,734. One commercially available system uses FLASHPLATE®scintillant-coated plates (NEN Life Science Products, Boston, Mass.).

The target molecule can be bound to the scintillator plates by a varietyof well known means. Scintillant plates are available that arederivatized to bind to fusion proteins such as GST, His6 (SEQ ID NO: 18)or Flag fusion proteins. Where the target molecule is a protein complexor a multimer, one protein or subunit can be attached to the platefirst, then the other components of the complex added later underbinding conditions, resulting in a bound complex.

In a typical SPA assay, the gene products in the expression pool willhave been radiolabeled and added to the wells, and allowed to interactwith the solid phase, which is the immobilized target molecule andscintillant coating in the wells. The assay can be measured immediatelyor allowed to reach equilibrium. Either way, when a radiolabel becomessufficiently close to the scintillant coating, it produces a signaldetectable by a device such as a TOPCOUNT NXT® microplate scintillationcounter (Packard BioScience Co., Meriden Conn.). If a radiolabeledexpression product binds to the target molecule, the radiolabel remainsin proximity to the scintillant long enough to produce a detectablesignal.

In contrast, the labeled proteins that do not bind to the targetmolecule, or bind only briefly, will not remain near the scintillantlong enough to produce a signal above background. Any time spent nearthe scintillant caused by random Brownian motion will also not result ina significant amount of signal. Likewise, residual unincorporatedradiolabel used during the expression step may be present, but will notgenerate significant signal because it will be in solution rather thaninteracting with the target molecule. These non-binding interactionswill therefore cause a certain level of background signal that can bemathematically removed. If too many signals are obtained, salt or othermodifiers can be added directly to the assay plates until the desiredspecificity is obtained (Nichols et al., (1998) Anal. Biochem.257:112-119).

Assay Compounds and Molecular Scaffolds

Preferred characteristics of a scaffold include being of low molecularweight (e.g., less than 350 Da, or from about 100 to about 350 daltons,or from about 150 to about 300 daltons). Preferably clog P of a scaffoldis from −1 to 8, more preferably less than 6, 5, or 4, most preferablyless than 3. In particular embodiments the clogP is in a range −1 to anupper limit of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8; or is in a range of 0 to an upperlimit of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8. Preferably the number of rotatable bondsis less than 5, more preferably less than 4. Preferably the number ofhydrogen bond donors and acceptors is below 6, more preferably below 5.An additional criterion that can be useful is a polar surface area ofless than 5. Guidance that can be useful in identifying criteria for aparticular application can be found in Lipinski et al., (1997) AdvancedDrug Delivery Reviews 23 3-25, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

A scaffold may preferably bind to a given protein binding site in aconfiguration that causes substituent moieties of the scaffold to besituated in pockets of the protein binding site. Also, possessingchemically tractable groups that can be chemically modified,particularly through synthetic reactions, to easily create acombinatorial library can be a preferred characteristic of the scaffold.Also preferred can be having positions on the scaffold to which othermoieties can be attached, which do not interfere with binding of thescaffold to the protein(s) of interest but do cause the scaffold toachieve a desirable property, for example, active transport of thescaffold to cells and/or organs, enabling the scaffold to be attached toa chromatographic column to facilitate analysis, or another desirableproperty. A molecular scaffold can bind to a target molecule with anyaffinity, such as binding at high affinity, moderate affinity, lowaffinity, very low affinity, or extremely low affinity.

Thus, the above criteria can be utilized to select many compounds fortesting that have the desired attributes. Many compounds having thecriteria described are available in the commercial market, and may beselected for assaying depending on the specific needs to which themethods are to be applied.

A “compound library” or “library” is a collection of different compoundshaving different chemical structures. A compound library is screenable,that is, the compound library members therein may be subject toscreening assays. In preferred embodiments, the library members can havea molecular weight of from about 100 to about 350 daltons, or from about150 to about 350 daltons. Examples of libraries are provided above.

Libraries of the present invention can contain at least one compoundthan binds to the target molecule at low affinity. Libraries ofcandidate compounds can be assayed by many different assays, such asthose described above, e.g., a fluorescence polarization assay.Libraries may consist of chemically synthesized peptides,peptidomimetics, or arrays of combinatorial chemicals that are large orsmall, focused or nonfocused. By “focused” it is meant that thecollection of compounds is prepared using the structure of previouslycharacterized compounds and/or pharmacophores.

Compound libraries may contain molecules isolated from natural sources,artificially synthesized molecules, or molecules synthesized, isolated,or otherwise prepared in such a manner so as to have one or moremoieties variable, e.g., moieties that are independently isolated orrandomly synthesized. Types of molecules in compound libraries includebut are not limited to organic compounds, polypeptides and nucleic acidsas those terms are used herein, and derivatives, conjugates and mixturesthereof.

Compound libraries of the invention may be purchased on the commercialmarket or prepared or obtained by any means including, but not limitedto, combinatorial chemistry techniques, fermentation methods, plant andcellular extraction procedures and the like (see, e.g., Cwirla et al.,(1990) Biochemistry, 87, 6378-6382; Houghten et al., (1991) Nature, 354,84-86; Lam et al., (1991) Nature, 354, 82-84; Brenner et al., (1992)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 5381-5383; R. A. Houghten, (1993) TrendsGenet., 9, 235-239; E. R. Felder, (1994) Chimia, 48, 512-541; Gallop etal., (1994) J. Med. Chem., 37, 1233-1251; Gordon et al., (1994) J. Med.Chem., 37, 1385-1401; Carell et al., (1995) Chem. Biol., 3, 171-183;Madden et al., Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Design 2, 269-282;Lebl et al., (1995) Biopolymers, 37 177-198); small molecules assembledaround a shared molecular structure; collections of chemicals that havebeen assembled by various commercial and noncommercial groups, naturalproducts; extracts of marine organisms, fungi, bacteria, and plants.

Preferred libraries can be prepared in a homogenous reaction mixture,and separation of unreacted reagents from members of the library is notrequired prior to screening. Although many combinatorial chemistryapproaches are based on solid state chemistry, liquid phasecombinatorial chemistry is capable of generating libraries (Sun CM.,(1999) Recent advances in liquid-phase combinatorial chemistry,Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening. 2:299-318).

Libraries of a variety of types of molecules are prepared in order toobtain members therefrom having one or more preselected attributes thatcan be prepared by a variety of techniques, including but not limited toparallel array synthesis (Houghton, (2000) Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol40:273-82, Parallel array and mixture-based synthetic combinatorialchemistry; solution-phase combinatorial chemistry (Merritt, (1998) CombChem High Throughput Screen 1(2):57-72, Solution phase combinatorialchemistry, Coe et al., (1998-99) Mol Divers; 4(1):31-8, Solution-phasecombinatorial chemistry, Sun, (1999) Comb Chem High Throughput Screen2(6):299-318, Recent advances in liquid-phase combinatorial chemistry);synthesis on soluble polymer (Gravert et al., (1997) Curr Opin Chem Biol1(1):107-13, Synthesis on soluble polymers: new reactions and theconstruction of small molecules); and the like. See, e.g., Dolle et al.,(1999) J Comb Chem 1(4):235-82, Comprehensive survey of cominatoriallibrary synthesis: 1998. Freidinger RM., (1999) Nonpeptidic ligands forpeptide and protein receptors, Current Opinion in Chemical Biology; andKundu et al., Prog Drug Res;53:89-156, Combinatorial chemistry: polymersupported synthesis of peptide and non-peptide libraries). Compounds maybe clinically tagged for ease of identification (Chabala, (1995) CurrOpin Biotechnol 6(6):633-9, Solid-phase combinatorial chemistry andnovel tagging methods for identifying leads).

The combinatorial synthesis of carbohydrates and libraries containingoligosaccharides have been described (Schweizer et al., (1999) Curr OpinChem Biol 3(3):291-8, Combinatorial synthesis of carbohydrates). Thesynthesis of natural-product based compound libraries has been described(Wessjohann, (2000) Curr Opin Chem Biol 4(3):303-9, Synthesis ofnatural-product based compound libraries).

Libraries of nucleic acids are prepared by various techniques, includingby way of non-limiting example the ones described herein, for theisolation of aptamers. Libraries that include oligonucleotides andpolyaminooligonucleotides (Markiewicz et al., (2000) Syntheticoligonucleotide combinatorial libraries and their applications, Farmaco.55:174-7) displayed on streptavidin magnetic beads are known. Nucleicacid libraries are known that can be coupled to parallel sampling and bedeconvoluted without complex procedures such as automated massspectrometry (Enjalbal C. Martinez J. Aubagnac J L, (2000) Massspectrometry in combinatorial chemistry, Mass Spectrometry Reviews.19:139-61) and parallel tagging. (Perrin DM., Nucleic acids forrecognition and catalysis: landmarks, limitations, and looking to thefuture, Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening 3:243-69).

Peptidomimetics are identified using combinatorial chemistry and solidphase synthesis (Kim HO. Kahn M., (2000) A merger of rational drugdesign and combinatorial chemistry: development and application ofpeptide secondary structure mimetics, Combinatorial Chemistry & HighThroughput Screening 3:167-83; al-Obeidi, (1998) Mol Biotechnol9(3):205-23, Peptide and peptidomimetric libraries. Molecular diversityand drug design). The synthesis may be entirely random or based in parton a known polypeptide.

Polypeptide libraries can be prepared according to various techniques.In brief, phage display techniques can be used to produce polypeptideligands (Gram H., (1999) Phage display in proteolysis and signaltransduction, Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening.2:19-28) that may be used as the basis for synthesis of peptidomimetics.Polypeptides, constrained peptides, proteins, protein domains,antibodies, single chain antibody fragments, antibody fragments, andantibody combining regions are displayed on filamentous phage forselection.

Large libraries of individual variants of human single chain Fvantibodies have been produced. See, e.g., Siegel R W. Allen B. Pavlik P.Marks J D. Bradbury A., (2000) Mass spectral analysis of a proteincomplex using single-chain antibodies selected on a peptide target:applications to functional genomics, Journal of Molecular Biology302:285-93; Poul M A. Becerril B. Nielsen U B. Morisson P. Marks JD.,(2000) Selection of tumor-specific internalizing human antibodiesfrom phage libraries. Source Journal of Molecular Biology. 301:1149-61;Amersdorfer P. Marks JD., (2001) Phage libraries for generation ofanti-botulinum scFv antibodies, Methods in Molecular Biology.145:219-40; Hughes-Jones N C. Bye J M. Gorick B D. Marks J D. Ouwehand WH., (1999) Synthesis of Rh Fv phage-antibodies using VH and VL germlinegenes, British Journal of Haematology. 105:811-6; McCall A M. Amoroso AR. Sautes C. Marks J D. Weiner L M., (1998) Characterization ofanti-mouse Fc gamma RII single-chain Fv fragments derived from humanphage display libraries, Immunotechnology. 4:71-87; Sheets M D.Amersdorfer P. Finnern R. Sargent P. Lindquist E. Schier R. Hemingsen G.Wong C. Gerhart J C. Marks J D. Lindquist E., (1998) Efficientconstruction of a large nonimmune phage antibody library: the productionof high-affinity human single-chain antibodies to protein antigens(published erratum appears in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1999 96:795), ProcNatl Acad Sci USA 95:6157-62).

Focused or smart chemical and pharmacophore libraries can be designedwith the help of sophisticated strategies involving computationalchemistry (e.g., Kundu B. Khare S K. Rastogi S K., (1999) Combinatorialchemistry: polymer supported synthesis of peptide and non-peptidelibraries, Progress in Drug Research 53:89-156) and the use ofstructure-based ligands using database searching and docking, de novodrug design and estimation of ligand binding affinities (Joseph-McCarthyD., (1999) Computational approaches to structure-based ligand design,Pharmacology & Therapeutics 84:179-91; Kirkpatrick D L. Watson S. UlhaqS., (1999) Structure-based drug design: combinatorial chemistry andmolecular modeling, Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening.2:211-21; Eliseev A V. Lehn J M., (1999) Dynamic combinatorialchemistry: evolutionary formation and screening of molecular libraries,Current Topics in Microbiology & Immunology 243:159-72; Bolger et al.,(1991) Methods Enz. 203:21-45; Martin, (1991) Methods Enz. 203:587-613;Neidle et al., (1991) Methods Enz. 203:433-458; U.S. Pat. No.6,178,384).

X. Crystallography

After binding compounds have been determined, the orientation ofcompound bound to target is determined. Preferably this determinationinvolves crystallography on co-crystals of molecular scaffold compoundswith target. Most protein crystallographic platforms can preferably bedesigned to analyze up to about 500 co-complexes of compounds, ligands,or molecular scaffolds bound to protein targets due to the physicalparameters of the instruments and convenience of operation. If thenumber of scaffolds that have binding activity exceeds a numberconvenient for the application of crystallography methods, the scaffoldscan be placed into groups based on having at least one common chemicalstructure or other desirable characteristics, and representativecompounds can be selected from one or more of the classes. Classes canbe made with increasingly exacting criteria until a desired number ofclasses (e.g., 500) is obtained. The classes can be based on chemicalstructure similarities between molecular scaffolds in the class, e.g.,all possess a pyrrole ring, benzene ring, or other chemical feature.Likewise, classes can be based on shape characteristics, e.g.,space-filling characteristics.

The co-crystallography analysis can be performed by co-complexing eachscaffold with its target at concentrations of the scaffold that showedactivity in the screening assay. This co-complexing can be accomplishedwith the use of low percentage organic solvents with the target moleculeand then concentrating the target with each of the scaffolds. Inpreferred embodiments these solvents are less than 5% organic solventsuch as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, methanol, or ethylene glycolin water or another aqueous solvent. Each scaffold complexed to thetarget molecule can then be screened with a suitable number ofcrystallization screening conditions at both 4 and 20 degrees. Inpreferred embodiments, about 96 crystallization screening conditions canbe performed in order to obtain sufficient information about theco-complexation and crystallization conditions, and the orientation ofthe scaffold at the binding site of the target molecule. Crystalstructures can then be analyzed to determine how the bound scaffold isoriented physically within the binding site or within one or morebinding pockets of the molecular family member.

It is desirable to determine the atomic coordinates of the compoundsbound to the target proteins in order to determine which is a mostsuitable scaffold for the protein family. X-ray crystallographicanalysis is therefore most preferable for determining the atomiccoordinates. Those compounds selected can be further tested with theapplication of medicinal chemistry. Compounds can be selected formedicinal chemistry testing based on their binding position in thetarget molecule. For example, when the compound binds at a binding site,the compound's binding position in the binding site of the targetmolecule can be considered with respect to the chemistry that can beperformed on chemically tractable structures or sub-structures of thecompound, and how such modifications on the compound might interact withstructures or sub-structures on the binding site of the target. Thus,one can explore the binding site of the target and the chemistry of thescaffold in order to make decisions on how to modify the scaffold toarrive at a ligand with higher potency and/or selectivity. This processallows for more direct design of ligands, by utilizing structural andchemical information obtained directly from the co-complex, therebyenabling one to more efficiently and quickly design lead compounds thatare likely to lead to beneficial drug products. In various embodimentsit may be desirable to perform co-crystallography on all scaffolds thatbind, or only those that bind with a particular affinity, for example,only those that bind with high affinity, moderate affinity, lowaffinity, very low affinity, or extremely low affinity. It may also beadvantageous to perform co-crystallography on a selection of scaffoldsthat bind with any combination of affinities.

Standard X-ray protein diffraction studies such as by using a RigakuRU-200® (Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan) with an X-ray imaging plate detector or asynchrotron beam-line can be performed on co-crystals and thediffraction data measured on a standard X-ray detector, such as a CCDdetector or an X-ray imaging plate detector.

Performing X-ray crystallography on about 200 co-crystals shouldgenerally lead to about 50 co-crystals structures, which should provideabout 10 scaffolds for validation in chemistry, which should finallyresult in about 5 selective leads for target molecules.

Virtual Assays

Commercially available software that generates three-dimensionalgraphical representations of the complexed target and compound from aset of coordinates provided can be used to illustrate and study how acompound is oriented when bound to a target. (e.g., QUANTA®, Accelerys,San Diego, Calif.). Thus, the existence of binding pockets at thebinding site of the targets can be particularly useful in the presentinvention. These binding pockets are revealed by the crystallographicstructure determination and show the precise chemical interactionsinvolved in binding the compound to the binding site of the target. Theperson of ordinary skill will realize that the illustrations can also beused to decide where chemical groups might be added, substituted,modified, or deleted from the scaffold to enhance binding or anotherdesirable effect, by considering where unoccupied space is located inthe complex and which chemical substructures might have suitable sizeand/or charge characteristics to fill it. The person of ordinary skillwill also realize that regions within the binding site can be flexibleand its properties can change as a result of scaffold binding, and thatchemical groups can be specifically targeted to those regions to achievea desired effect. Specific locations on the molecular scaffold can beconsidered with reference to where a suitable chemical substructure canbe attached and in which conformation, and which site has the mostadvantageous chemistry available.

An understanding of the forces that bind the compounds to the targetproteins reveals which compounds can most advantageously be used asscaffolds, and which properties can most effectively be manipulated inthe design of ligands. The person of ordinary skill will realize thatsteric, ionic, hydrogen bond, and other forces can be considered fortheir contribution to the maintenance or enhancement of thetarget-compound complex. Additional data can be obtained with automatedcomputational methods, such as docking and/or Free Energy Perturbations(FEP), to account for other energetic effects such as desolvationpenalties. The compounds selected can be used to generate informationabout the chemical interactions with the target or for elucidatingchemical modifications that can enhance selectivity of binding of thecompound.

Computer models, such as homology models (i.e., based on a known,experimentally derived structure) can be constructed using data from theco-crystal structures. When the target molecule is a protein or enzyme,preferred co-crystal structures for making homology models contain highsequence identity in the binding site of the protein sequence beingmodeled, and the proteins will preferentially also be within the sameclass and/or fold family. Knowledge of conserved residues in activesites of a protein class can be used to select homology models thataccurately represent the binding site. Homology models can also be usedto map structural information from a surrogate protein where an apo orco-crystal structure exists to the target protein.

Virtual screening methods, such as docking, can also be used to predictthe binding configuration and affinity of scaffolds, compounds, and/orcombinatorial library members to homology models. Using this data, andcarrying out “virtual experiments” using computer software can savesubstantial resources and allow the person of ordinary skill to makedecisions about which compounds can be suitable scaffolds or ligands,without having to actually synthesize the ligand and performco-crystallization. Decisions thus can be made about which compoundsmerit actual synthesis and co-crystallization. An understanding of suchchemical interactions aids in the discovery and design of drugs thatinteract more advantageously with target proteins and/or are moreselective for one protein family member over others. Thus, applyingthese principles, compounds with superior properties can be discovered.

Additives that promote co-crystallization can of course be included inthe target molecule formulation in order to enhance the formation ofco-crystals. In the case of proteins or enzymes, the scaffold to betested can be added to the protein formulation, which is preferablypresent at a concentration of approximately 1 mg/ml. The formulation canalso contain between 0%-10% (v/v) organic solvent, e.g. DMSO, methanol,ethanol, propane diol, or 1,3 dimethyl propane diol (MPD) or somecombination of those organic solvents. Compounds are preferablysolubilized in the organic solvent at a concentration of about 10 mM andadded to the protein sample at a concentration of about 100 mM. Theprotein-compound complex is then concentrated to a final concentrationof protein of from about 5 to about 20 mg/ml. The complexation andconcentration steps can conveniently be performed using a 96-wellformatted concentration apparatus (e.g., Amicon Inc., Piscataway, N.J.).Buffers and other reagents present in the formulation being crystallizedcan contain other components that promote crystallization or arecompatible with crystallization conditions, such as DTT, propane diol,glycerol.

The crystallization experiment can be set-up by placing small aliquotsof the concentrated protein-compound complex (1 μl) in a 96 well formatand sampling under 96 crystallization conditions. (Other screeningformats can also be used, e.g., plates with greater than 96 wells.)Crystals can typically be obtained using standard crystallizationprotocols that can involve the 96 well crystallization plate beingplaced at different temperatures. Co-crystallization varying factorsother than temperature can also be considered for each protein-compoundcomplex if desirable. For example, atmospheric pressure, the presence orabsence of light or oxygen, a change in gravity, and many othervariables can all be tested. The person of ordinary skill in the artwill realize other variables that can advantageously be varied andconsidered.

Ligand Design and Preparation

The design and preparation of ligands can be performed with or withoutstructural and/or co-crystallization data by considering the chemicalstructures in common between the active scaffolds of a set. In thisprocess structure-activity hypotheses can be formed and those chemicalstructures found to be present in a substantial number of the scaffolds,including those that bind with low affinity, can be presumed to havesome effect on the binding of the scaffold. This binding can be presumedto induce a desired biochemical effect when it occurs in a biologicalsystem (e.g., a treated mammal). New or modified scaffolds orcombinatorial libraries derived from scaffolds can be tested to disprovethe maximum number of binding and/or structure-activity hypotheses. Theremaining hypotheses can then be used to design ligands that achieve adesired binding and biochemical effect.

But in many cases it will be preferred to have co-crystallography datafor consideration of how to modify the scaffold to achieve the desiredbinding effect (e.g., binding at higher affinity or with higherselectivity). Using the case of proteins and enzymes, co-crystallographydata shows the binding pocket of the protein with the molecular scaffoldbound to the binding site, and it will be apparent that a modificationcan be made to a chemically tractable group on the scaffold. Forexample, a small volume of space at a protein binding site or pocketmight be filled by modifying the scaffold to include a small chemicalgroup that fills the volume. Filling the void volume can be expected toresult in a greater binding affinity, or the loss of undesirable bindingto another member of the protein family. Similarly, theco-crystallography data may show that deletion of a chemical group onthe scaffold may decrease a hindrance to binding and result in greaterbinding affinity or specificity.

It can be desirable to take advantage of the presence of a chargedchemical group located at the binding site or pocket of the protein. Forexample, a positively charged group can be complemented with anegatively charged group introduced on the molecular scaffold. This canbe expected to increase binding affinity or binding specificity, therebyresulting in a more desirable ligand. In many cases, regions of proteinbinding sites or pockets are known to vary from one family member toanother based on the amino acid differences in those regions. Chemicaladditions in such regions can result in the creation or elimination ofcertain interactions (e.g., hydrophobic, electrostatic, or entropic)that allow a compound to be more specific for one protein target overanother or to bind with greater affinity, thereby enabling one tosynthesize a compound with greater selectivity or affinity for aparticular family member. Additionally, certain regions can containamino acids that are known to be more flexible than others. This oftenoccurs in amino acids contained in loops connecting elements of thesecondary structure of the protein, such as alpha helices or betastrands. Additions of chemical moieties can also be directed to theseflexible regions in order to increase the likelihood of a specificinteraction occurring between the protein target of interest and thecompound. Virtual screening methods can also be conducted in silico toassess the effect of chemical additions, subtractions, modifications,and/or substitutions on compounds with respect to members of a proteinfamily or class.

The addition, subtraction, or modification of a chemical structure orsub-structure to a scaffold can be performed with any suitable chemicalmoiety. For example the following moieties, which are provided by way ofexample and are not intended to be limiting, can be utilized: hydrogen,alkyl, alkoxy, phenoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl,haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkenylthio, phenyl,phenylalkyl, phenylalkylthio, hydroxyalkyl-thio, alkylthiocarbamylthio,cyclohexyl, pyridyl, piperidinyl, alkylamino, amino, nitro, mercapto,cyano, hydroxyl, a halogen atom, halomethyl, an oxygen atom (e.g.,forming a ketone or N-oxide) or a sulphur atom (e.g., forming a thiol,thione, di-alkylsulfoxide or sulfone) are all examples of moieties thatcan be utilized.

Additional examples of structures or sub-structures that may be utilizedare an aryl optionally substituted with one, two, or three substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy,halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate, carboxamide, nitro, and estermoieties; an amine of formula —NX₂X₃, where X₂ and X₃ are independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, saturated or unsaturatedalkyl, and homocyclic or heterocyclic ring moieties; halogen ortrihalomethyl; a ketone of formula —COX₄, where X₄ is selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl and homocyclic or heterocyclic ring moieties;a carboxylic acid of formula —(X₅)_(n)COOH or ester of formula(X₆)_(n)COOX₇, where X₅, X₆, and X₇ and are independently selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl and homocyclic or heterocyclic ringmoieties and where n is 0 or 1; an alcohol of formula (X₈)_(n)OH or analkoxy moiety of formula —(X₈)_(n)OX₉, where X₈ and X₉ are independentlyselected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated alkyl andhomocyclic or heterocyclic ring moieties, wherein said ring isoptionally substituted with one or more substituents independentlyselected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, halogen,trihalomethyl, carboxylate, nitro, and ester and where n is 0 or 1; anamide of formula NHCOX₁₀, where X₁₀ is selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, hydroxyl, and homocyclic or heterocyclic ringmoieties, wherein said ring is optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl,alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate, nitro, and ester; SO₂,NX₁₁X₁₂, where X₁₁ and X₁₂ are selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, alkyl, and homocyclic or heterocyclic ring moieties; ahomocyclic or heterocyclic ring moiety optionally substituted with one,two, or three substituents independently selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, carboxylate,carboxamide, nitro, and ester moieties; an aldehyde of formula —CHO; asulfone of formula —SO₂X₁₃, where X₁₃ is selected from the groupconsisting of saturated or unsaturated alkyl and homocyclic orheterocyclic ring moieties; and a nitro of formula —NO₂.

Identification of Attachment Sites on Molecular Scaffolds and Ligands

In addition to the identification and development of ligands forphosphodiesterases and other enzymes, determination of the orientationof a molecular scaffold or other binding compound in a binding siteallows identification of energetically allowed sites for attachment ofthe binding molecule to another component. For such sites, any freeenergy change associated with the presence of the attached componentshould not destablize the binding of the compound to thephosphodiesterase to an extent that will disrupt the binding.Preferably, the binding energy with the attachment should be at least 4kcal/mol., more preferably at least 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20 kcal/mol.Preferably, the presence of the attachment at the particular sitereduces binding energy by no more than 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, or 15kcal/mol.

In many cases, suitable attachment sites will be those that are exposedto solvent when the binding compound is bound in the binding site. Insome cases, attachment sites can be used that will result in smalldisplacements of a portion of the enzyme without an excessive energeticcost. Exposed sites can be identified in various ways. For example,exposed sites can be identified using a graphic display or 3-dimensionalmodel. In a grahic display, such as a computer display, an image of acompound bound in a binding site can be visually inspected to revealatoms or groups on the compound that are exposed to solvent and orientedsuch that attachment at such atom or group would not preclude binding ofthe enzyme and binding compound. Energetic costs of attachment can becalculated based on changes or distortions that would be caused by theattachment as well as entropic changes.

Many different types of components can be attached. Persons with skillare familiar with the chemistries used for various attachments. Examplesof components that can be attached include, without limitation: solidphase components such as beads, plates, chips, and wells; a direct orindirect label; a linker, which may be a traceless linker; among others.Such linkers can themselves be attached to other components, e.g., tosolid phase media, labels, and/or binding moieties.

The binding energy of a compound and the effects on binding energy forattaching the molecule to another component can be calculatedapproximately using any of a variety of available software or by manualcalculation. An example is the following:

Calculations were performed to estimate binding energies of differentorganic molecules to two Kinases: PIM-1 and CDK2. The organic moleculesconsidered included Staurosporine, identified compounds that bind toPDE5A, and several linkers.

Calculated binding energies between protein-ligand complexes wereobtained using the FlexX score (an implementation of the Bohm scoringfunction) within the Tripos software suite. The form for that equationis shown in the equation below:ΔGbind=ΔGtr+ΔGhb+ΔGion+ΔGlipo+ΔGarom+ΔGrot

where: ΔGtr is a constant term that accounts for the overall loss ofrotational and translational entropy of the lignand, ΔGhb accounts forhydrogen bonds formed between the ligand and protein, ΔGion accounts forthe ionic interactions between the ligand and protein, ΔGlipo accountsfor the lipophilic interaction that corresponds to the protein-ligandcontact surface, ΔGarom accounts for interactions between aromatic ringsin the protein and ligand, and ΔGrot accounts for the entropic penaltyof restricting rotatable bonds in the ligand upon binding.

This method estimates the free energy that a lead compound should haveto a target protein for which there is a crystal structure, and itaccounts for the entropic penalty of flexible linkers. It can thereforebe used to estimate the free energy penalty incurred by attachinglinkers to molecules being screened and the binding energy that a leadcompound should have in order to overcome the free energy penalty of thelinker. The method does not account for solvation and the entropicpenalty is likely overestimated for cases where the linker is bound to asolid phase through another binding complex, such as abiotin:streptavidin complex.

Co-crystals were aligned by superimposing residues of PIM-1 withcorresponding residues in CDK2. The PIM-1 structure used for thesecalculations was a co-crystal of PIM-1 with a binding compound. TheCDK2:Staurosporine co-crystal used was from the Brookhaven database file1aq1. Hydrogen atoms were added to the proteins and atomic charges wereassigned using the AMBER95 parameters within Sybyl. Modifications to thecompounds described were made within the Sybyl modeling suite fromTripos.

These calculations indicate that the calculated binding energy forcompounds that bind strongly to a given target (such asStaurosporine:CDK2) can be lower than −25 kcal/mol, while the calculatedbinding affinity for a good scaffold or an unoptimized binding compoundcan be in the range of −15 to −20. The free energy penalty forattachment to a linker such as the ethylene glycol or hexatriene isestimated as typically being in the range of +5 to +15 kcal/mol.

Linkers

Linkers suitable for use in the invention can be of many differenttypes. Linkers can be selected for particular applications based onfactors such as linker chemistry compatible for attachment to a bindingcompound and to another component utilized in the particularapplication. Additional factors can include, without limitation, linkerlength, linker stability, and ability to remove the linker at anappropriate time. Exemplary linkers include, but are not limited to,hexyl, hexatrienyl, ethylene glycol, and peptide linkers. Tracelesslinkers can also be used, e.g., as described in Plunkett, M. J., andEllman, J. A., (1995), J. Org. Chem., 60:6006.

Typical functional groups, that are utilized to link bindingcompound(s), include, but not limited to, carboxylic acid, amine,hydroxyl, and thiol. (Examples can be found in Solid-supportedcombinatorial and parallel synthesis of small molecular weight compoundlibraries; (1998) Tetrahedron organic chemistry series Vol. 17;Pergamon; p85).

Labels

As indicated above, labels can also be attached to a binding compound orto a linker attached to a binding compound. Such attachment may bedirect (attached directly to the binding compound) or indirect (attachedto a component that is directly or indirectly attached to the bindingcompound). Such labels allow detection of the compound either directlyor indirectly. Attachement of labels can be performed using conventionalchemistries. Labels can include, for example, fluorescent labels,radiolabels, light scattering particles, light absorbent particles,magnetic particles, enzymes, and specific binding agents (e.g., biotinor an antibody target moiety).

Solid Phase Media

Additional examples of components that can be attached directly orindirectly to a binding compound include various solid phase media.Similar to attachment of linkers and labels, attachment to solid phasemedia can be performed using conventional chemistries. Such solid phasemedia can include, for example, small components such as beads,nanoparticles, and fibers (e.g., in suspension or in a gel orchromatographic matrix). Likewise, solid phase media can include largerobjects such as plates, chips, slides, and tubes. In many cases, thebinding compound will be attached in only a portion of such an objects,e.g., in a spot or other local element on a generally flat surface or ina well or portion of a well.

Identification of Biological Agents

The possession of structural information about a protein also providesfor the identification of useful biological agents, such as epitpose fordevelopment of antibodies, identification of mutation sites expected toaffect activity, and identification of attachment sites allowingattachment of the protein to materials such as labels, linkers,peptides, and solid phase media.

Antibodies (Abs) finds multiple applications in a variety of areasincluding biotechnology, medicine and diagnosis, and indeed they are oneof the most powerful tools for life science research. Abs directedagainst protein antigens can recognize either linear or nativethree-dimensional (3D) epitopes. The obtention of Abs that recognize 3Depitopes require the use of whole native protein (or of a portion thatassumes a native conformation) as immunogens. Unfortunately, this notalways a choice due to various technical reasons: for example the nativeprotein is just not available, the protein is toxic, or its is desirableto utilize a high density antigen presentation. In such cases,immunization with peptides is the alternative. Of course, Abs generatedin this manner will recognize linear epitopes, and they might or mightnot recognize the source native protein, but yet they will be useful forstandard laboratory applications such as western blots. The selection ofpeptides to use as immunogens can be accomplished by followingparticular selection rules and/or use of epitope prediction software.

Though methods to predict antigenic peptides are not infallible, thereare several rules that can be followed to determine what peptidefragments from a protein are likely to be antigenic. These rules arealso dictated to increase the likelihood that an Ab to a particularpeptide will recognize the native protein.

-   -   1. Antigenic peptides should be located in solvent accessible        regions and contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues.        -   For proteins of known 3D structure, solvent accessibility            can be determined using a variety of programs such as DSSP,            NACESS, or WHATIF, among others.        -   If the 3D structure is not known, use any of the following            web servers to predict accessibilities: PHD, JPRED,            PredAcc (c) ACCpro    -   2. Preferably select peptides lying in long loops connecting        Secondary Structure (SS) motifs, avoiding peptides located in        helical regions. This will increase the odds that the Ab        recognizes the native protein. Such peptides can, for example,        be identified from a crystal structure or crystal        structure-based homology model.        -   For protein with known 3D coordinates, SS can be obtained            from the sequence link of the relevant entry at the            Brookhaven data bank. The PDBsum server also offer SS            analysis of pdb records.        -   When no structure is available secondary structure            predictions can be obtained from any of the following            servers: PHD, JPRED, PSI—PRED, NNSP, etc    -   3. When possible, choose peptides that are in the N- and        C-terminal region of the protein. Because the N- and C-terminal        regions of proteins are usually solvent accessible and        unstructured, Abs against those regions are also likely to        recognize the native protein.    -   4. For cell surface glycoproteins, eliminate from initial        peptides those containing consesus sites for N-glycosilation.        -   N-glycosilation sites can be detected using Scanprosite, or            NetNGlyc

In addition, several methods based on various physio-chemical propertiesof experimental determined epitopes (flexibility, hydrophibility,accessibility) have been published for the prediction of antigenicdeterminants and can be used. The antigenic index and Preditop areexample.

A desirable method for the prediction of antigenic determinants is thatof Kolaskar and Tongaonkar, which is based on the occurrence of aminoacid residues in experimentally determined epitopes. (Kolaskar andTongaonkar (1990) A semi-empirical method for prediction of antigenicdeterminants on protein antigens. FEBBS Lett. 276(1-2):172-174.) Theprediction algorithm works as follows:

-   -   1. Calculate the average propensity for each overlapping 7-mer        and assign the result to the central residue (i+3) of the 7-mer.    -   2. Calculate the average for the whole protein.    -   3. (a) If the average for the whole protein is above 1.0 then        all residues having average propensity above 1.0 are potentially        antigenic.    -   3. (b) If the average for the whole protein is below 1.0 then        all residues having above the average for the whole protein are        potentially antigenic.    -   4. Find 8-mers where all residues are selected by step 3 above        (6-mers in the original paper)

The Kolaskar and Tongaonkar method is also available from the GCGpackage, and it runs using the command egcg.

Crystal structures also allow identification of residues at whichmutation is likely to alter the activity of the protein. Such residuesinclude, for example, residues that interact with susbtrate, conservedactive site residues, and residues that are in a region of orderedsecondary structure of involved in tertiary interactions. The mutationsthat are likely to affect activity will vary for different molecularcontexts. Mutations in an active site that will affect activity aretypically substitutions or deletions that eliminate a charge-charge orhydrogen bonding interaction, or introduce a steric interference.Mutations in secondary structure regions or molecular interactionregions that are likely to affect activity include, for example,substitutions that alter the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of a region,or that introduce a sufficient strain in a region near or including theactive site so that critical residue(s) in the active site aredisplaced. Such substitutions and/or deletions and/or insertions arerecognized, and the predicted structural and/or energetic effects ofmutations can be calculated using conventional software.

XI. Phosphodiesterase Activity Assays

A number of different assays for phosphodiesterase activity can beutilized for assaying for active modulators and/or determiningspecificity of a modulator for a particular phosphodiesterase or groupor phosphodiesterases. In addition to the assay mentioned in theExamples below, one of ordinary skill in the art will know of otherassays that can be utilized and can modify an assay for a particularapplication. For example, numerous papers concerning PDEs describedassays that can be used. For example, useful assays are described inFryburg et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0165237,Thompson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0009764,Pamukcu et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/046,739, and Pamukcuet al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,610.

An assay for phosphodiesterase activity that can be used for PDE4B, canbe performed according to the following procedure using purified PDE4Busing the procedure described in the Examples.

Additional alternative assays can employ binding determinations. Forexample, this sort of assay can be formatted either in a fluorescenceresonance energy transfer (FRET) format, or using an AlphaScreen(amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay) format by varyingthe donor and acceptor reagents that are attached to streptavidin or thephosphor-specific antibody.

XII. Organic Synthetic Techniques

The versatility of computer-based modulator design and identificationlies in the diversity of structures screened by the computer programs.The computer programs can search databases that contain very largenumbers of molecules and can modify modulators already complexed withthe enzyme with a wide variety of chemical functional groups. Aconsequence of this chemical diversity is that a potential modulator ofphosphodiesterase function may take a chemical form that is notpredictable. A wide array of organic synthetic techniques exist in theart to meet the challenge of constructing these potential modulators.Many of these organic synthetic methods are described in detail instandard reference sources utilized by those skilled in the art. Oneexample of suh a reference is March, 1994, Advanced Organic Chemistry,Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, New York, McGraw Hill. Thus, thetechniques useful to synthesize a potential modulator ofphosphodiesterase function identified by computer-based methods arereadily available to those skilled in the art of organic chemicalsynthesis.

XIII. Administration

The methods and compounds will typically be used in therapy for humanpatients. However, they may also be used to treat similar or identicaldiseases in other vertebrates such as other primates, sports animals,and pets such as horses, dogs and cats.

Suitable dosage forms, in part, depend upon the use or the route ofadministration, for example, oral, transdermal, transmucosal, inhalant,or by injection (parenteral). Such dosage forms should allow thecompound to reach target cells. Other factors are well known in the art,and include considerations such as toxicity and dosage forms that retardthe compound or composition from exerting its effects. Techniques andformulations generally may be found in Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences, 18^(th) ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990 (herebyincorporated by reference herein).

Compounds can be formulated as pharmaceutically acceptable salts.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are non-toxic salts in the amounts andconcentrations at which they are administered. The preparation of suchsalts can facilitate the pharmacological use by altering the physicalcharacteristics of a compound without preventing it from exerting itsphysiological effect. Useful alterations in physical properties includelowering the melting point to facilitate transmucosal administration andincreasing the solubility to facilitate administering higherconcentrations of the drug.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts such asthose containing sulfate, chloride, hydrochloride, fumarate, maleate,phosphate, sulfamate, acetate, citrate, lactate, tartrate,methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate,cyclohexylsulfamate and quinate. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts canbe obtained from acids such as hydrochloric acid, maleic acid, sulfuricacid, phosphoric acid, sulfamic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, lacticacid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonicacid, benzenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, cyclohexylsulfamicacid, fumaric acid, and quinic acid.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts also include basic addition salts suchas those containing benzathine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine,ethylenediamine, meglumine, procaine, aluminum, calcium, lithium,magnesium, potassium, sodium, ammonium, alkylamine, and zinc, whenacidic functional groups, such as carboxylic acid or phenol are present.For example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 19^(th) ed., MackPublishing Co., Easton, Pa., Vol. 2, p. 1457, 1995. Such salts can beprepared using the appropriate corresponding bases.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared by standardtechniques. For example, the free-base form of a compound is dissolvedin a suitable solvent, such as an aqueous or aqueous-alcohol in solutioncontaining the appropriate acid and then isolated by evaporating thesolution. In another example, a salt is prepared by reacting the freebase and acid in an organic solvent.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the different compounds may bepresent as a complex. Examples of complexes include 8-chlorotheophyllinecomplex (analogous to, e.g., dimenhydrinate: diphenhydramine8-chlorotheophylline (1:1) complex; Dramamine) and various cyclodextrininclusion complexes.

Carriers or excipients can be used to produce pharmaceuticalcompositions. The carriers or excipients can be chosen to facilitateadministration of the compound. Examples of carriers include calciumcarbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars such as lactose, glucose,or sucrose, or types of starch, cellulose derivatives, gelatin,vegetable oils, polyethylene glycols and physiologically compatiblesolvents. Examples of physiologically compatible solvents includesterile solutions of water for injection (WFI), saline solution, anddextrose.

The compounds can be administered by different routes includingintravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral,transmucosal, rectal, inhalant, or transdermal. Oral administration ispreferred. For oral administration, for example, the compounds can beformulated into conventional oral dosage forms such as capsules,tablets, and liquid preparations such as syrups, elixirs, andconcentrated drops.

Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained, for example,by combining the active compounds with solid excipients, optionallygrinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules,after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets ordragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such assugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulosepreparations, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch,potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose,hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC),and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP: povidone). If desired, disintegratingagents may be added, such as the cross—linked polyvinylpyrrolidone,agar, or alginic acid, or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose,concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally contain,for example, gum arabic, talc, poly-vinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel,polyethylene glycol (PEG), and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions,and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dye-stuffs orpigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings foridentification or to characterize different combinations of activecompound doses.

Pharmaceutical preparations that can be used orally include push-fitcapsules made of gelatin (“gelcaps”), as well as soft, sealed capsulesmade of gelatin, and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. Thepush-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture withfiller such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants suchas talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In softcapsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitableliquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethyleneglycols (PEGs). In addition, stabilizers may be added.

Alternatively, injection (parenteral administration) may be used, e.g.,intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, and/orsubcutaneous. Forinjection, the compounds of the invention are formulated in sterileliquid solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers orsolutions, such as saline solution, Hank's solution, or Ringer'ssolution. In addition, the compounds may be formulated in solid form andredissolved or suspended immediately prior to use. Lyophilized forms canalso be produced.

Administration can also be by transmucosal, transdermal, or inhalantmeans. For transmucosal, transdermal, or inhalant administration,penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in theformulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, andinclude, for example, for transmucosal administration, bile salts andfusidic acid derivatives. In addition, detergents may be used tofacilitate permeation. Transmucosal administration, for example, may bethrough nasal sprays or suppositories (rectal or vaginal).

For inhalants, compounds of the invention may be formulated as drypowder or a suitable solution, suspension, or aerosol. Powders andsolutions may be formulated with suitable additives known in the art.For example, powders may include a suitable powder base such as lacatoseor starch, and solutions may comprise propylene glycol, sterile water,ethanol, sodium chloride and other additives, such as acid, alkali andbuffer salts. Such solutions or suspensions may be administered byinhaling via spray, pump, atomizer, or nebulizer and the like. Thecompounds of the invention may also be used in combination with otherinhaled therapies, for example corticosteroids such as fluticasoneproprionate, beclomethasone dipropionate, triamcinolone acetonide,budesonide, and mometasone furoate; beta agonists such as albuterol,salmeterol, and formoterol; anticholinergic agents such as ipratropriumbromide or tiotropium; vasodilators such as treprostinal and iloprost;enzymes such as DNAase; therapeutic proteins; immunoglobulin antibodies;an oligonucleotide, such as single or double stranded DNA or RNA, siRNA;antibiotics such as tobramycin; muscarinic receptor antagonists;leukotriene antagonists; cytokine antagonists; protease inhibitors;cromolyn sodium; nedocril sodium; and sodium cromoglycate.

It is understood that use in combination includes delivery of compoundsof the invention and one or more other inhaled therapeutics together inany formulation, including formulations where the two compounds arechemically linked such that they maintain their therapeutic activitywhen administered. Combination use includes administration ofco-formulations or formulations of chemically joined compounds, orco-administration of the compounds in separate formulations. Separateformulations may be co-administered by delivery from the same inhalantdevice, or can be co-administered from separate inhalant devices, whereco-administration in this case means administered within a short time ofeach other. Co-formulations of a compound of the invention and one ormore additional inhaled therapies includes preparation of the materialstogether such that they can be administered by one inhalant device,including the separate compounds combined in one formulation, orcompounds that are modified such that they are chemically joined, yetstill maintain their biological activity.

The amounts of various compound to be administered can be determined bystandard procedures taking into account factors such as the compoundIC₅₀, the biological half-life of the compound, the age, size, andweight of the patient, and the disorder associated with the patient. Theimportance of these and other factors are well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. Generally, a dose will be between about 0.01and 50 mg/kg, preferably 0.1 and 20 mg/kg of the patient being treated.Multiple doses may be used.

XIV. Manipulation of PDE4B

As the full-length coding sequence and amino acid sequence of PDE4B fromvarious mammals including human is known, cloning, construction ofrecombinant PDE4B, production and purification of recombinant protein,introduction of PDE4B into other organisms, and other molecularbiological manipulations of PDE4B are readily performed.

Techniques for the manipulation of nucleic acids, such as, e.g.,subcloning, labeling probes (e.g., random-primer labeling using Klenowpolymerase, nick translation, amplification), sequencing, hybridizationand the like are well disclosed in the scientific and patent literature,see, e.g., Sambrook, ed., Molecular Cloning: a Laboratory Manual (2nded.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1989); CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Ausubel, ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,New York (1997); Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and MolecularBiology: Hybridization With Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I. Theory andNucleic Acid Preparation, Tijssen, ed. Elsevier, N.Y. (1993).

Nucleic acid sequences can be amplified as necessary for further useusing amplification methods, such as PCR, isothermal methods, rollingcircle methods, etc., are well known to the skilled artisan. See, e.g.,Saiki, “Amplification of Genomic DNA” in PCR Protocols, Innis et al.,Eds., Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. 1990, pp 13-20; Wharam et al.,Nucleic Acids Res. 2001 Jun 1;29(11):E54-E54; Hafner et al.,Biotechniques 2001 April;30(4):852-6, 858, 860 passim; Zhong et al.,Biotechniques 2001 April;30(4):852-6, 858, 860 passim.

Nucleic acids, vectors, capsids, polypeptides, and the like can beanalyzed and quantified by any of a number of general means well knownto those of skill in the art. These include, e.g., analyticalbiochemical methods such as NMR, spectrophotometry, radiography,electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquidchromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), andhyperdiffusion chromatography, various immunological methods, e.g. fluidor gel precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion, immuno-electrophoresis,radioimmunoassays (RIAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs),immuno-fluorescent assays, Southern analysis, Northern analysis,dot-blot analysis, gel electrophoresis (e.g., SDS-PAGE), nucleic acid ortarget or signal amplification methods, radiolabeling, scintillationcounting, and affinity chromatography.

Obtaining and manipulating nucleic acids used to practice the methods ofthe invention can be performed by cloning from genomic samples, and, ifdesired, screening and re-cloning inserts isolated or amplified from,e.g., genomic clones or cDNA clones. Sources of nucleic acid used in themethods of the invention include genomic or cDNA libraries contained in,e.g., mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs), see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.5,721,118; 6,025,155; human artificial chromosomes, see, e.g., Rosenfeld(1997) Nat. Genet. 15:333-335; yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC);bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC); P1 artificial chromosomes, see,e.g., Woon (1998) Genomics 50:306-316; P1-derived vectors (PACs), see,e.g., Kern (1997) Biotechniques 23:120-124; cosmids, recombinantviruses, phages or plasmids.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be operatively linked to apromoter. A promoter can be one motif or an array of nucleic acidcontrol sequences which direct transcription of a nucleic acid. Apromoter can include necessary nucleic acid sequences near the startsite of transcription, such as, in the case of a polymerase II typepromoter, a TATA element. A promoter also optionally includes distalenhancer or repressor elements which can be located as much as severalthousand base pairs from the start site of transcription. A“constitutive” promoter is a promoter which is active under mostenvironmental and developmental conditions. An “inducible” promoter is apromoter which is under environmental or developmental regulation. A“tissue specific” promoter is active in certain tissue types of anorganism, but not in other tissue types from the same organism. The term“operably linked” refers to a functional linkage between a nucleic acidexpression control sequence (such as a promoter, or array oftranscription factor binding sites) and a second nucleic acid sequence,wherein the expression control sequence directs transcription of thenucleic acid corresponding to the second sequence.

The nucleic acids of the invention can also be provided in expressionvectors and cloning vehicles, e.g., sequences encoding the polypeptidesof the invention. Expression vectors and cloning vehicles of theinvention can comprise viral particles, baculovirus, phage, plasmids,phagemids, cosmids, fosmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes, viral DNA(e.g., vaccinia, adenovirus, foul pox virus, pseudorabies andderivatives of SV40), P1-based artificial chromosomes, yeast plasmids,yeast artificial chromosomes, and any other vectors specific forspecific hosts of interest (such as bacillus, Aspergillus and yeast).Vectors of the invention can include chromosomal, non-chromosomal andsynthetic DNA sequences. Large numbers of suitable vectors are known tothose of skill in the art, and are commercially available.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be cloned, if desired, into anyof a variety of vectors using routine molecular biological methods;methods for cloning in vitro amplified nucleic acids are disclosed,e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,039. To facilitate cloning of amplifiedsequences, restriction enzyme sites can be “built into” a PCR primerpair. Vectors may be introduced into a genome or into the cytoplasm or anucleus of a cell and expressed by a variety of conventional techniques,well described in the scientific and patent literature. See, e.g.,Roberts (1987) Nature 328:731; Schneider (1995) Protein Expr. Purif.6435:10; Sambrook, Tijssen or Ausubel. The vectors can be isolated fromnatural sources, obtained from such sources as ATCC or GenBanklibraries, or prepared by synthetic or recombinant methods. For example,the nucleic acids of the invention can be expressed in expressioncassettes, vectors or viruses which are stably or transiently expressedin cells (e.g., episomal expression systems). Selection markers can beincorporated into expression cassettes and vectors to confer aselectable phenotype on transformed cells and sequences. For example,selection markers can code for episomal maintenance and replication suchthat integration into the host genome is not required.

The nucleic acids can be administered in vivo for in situ expression ofthe peptides or polypeptides of the invention. The nucleic acids can beadministered as “naked DNA” (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,859) or inthe form of an expression vector, e.g., a recombinant virus. The nucleicacids can be administered by any route, including peri- orintra-tumorally, as described below. Vectors administered in vivo can bederived from viral genomes, including recombinantly modified envelopedor non-enveloped DNA and RNA viruses, preferably selected frombaculoviridiae, parvoviridiae, picornoviridiae, herpesveridiae,poxyiridae, adenoviridiae, or picornnaviridiae. Chimeric vectors mayalso be employed which exploit advantageous merits of each of the parentvector properties (See e.g., Feng (1997) Nature Biotechnology15:866-870). Such viral genomes may be modified by recombinant DNAtechniques to include the nucleic acids of the invention; and may befurther engineered to be replication deficient, conditionallyreplicating or replication competent. In alternative aspects, vectorsare derived from the adenoviral (e.g., replication incompetent vectorsderived from the human adenovirus genome, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.6,096,718; 6,110,458; 6,113,913; 5,631,236); adeno-associated viral andretroviral genomes. Retroviral vectors can include those based uponmurine leukemia virus (MuLV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), SimianImmuno deficiency virus (SIV), human immuno deficiency virus (HIV), andcombinations thereof; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,117,681; 6,107,478;5,658,775; 5,449,614; Buchscher (1992) J. Virol. 66:2731-2739; Johann(1992) J. Virol. 66:1635-1640). Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-basedvectors can be used to transduce cells with target nucleic acids, e.g.,in the in vitro production of nucleic acids and peptides, and in in vivoand ex vivo gene therapy procedures; see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.6,110,456; 5,474,935; Okada (1996) Gene Ther. 3:957-964.

The present invention also relates to fusion proteins, and nucleic acidsencoding them. A polypeptide of the invention can be fused to aheterologous peptide or polypeptide, such as N-terminal identificationpeptides which impart desired characteristics, such as increasedstability or simplified purification. Peptides and polypeptides of theinvention can also be synthesized and expressed as fusion proteins withone or more additional domains linked thereto for, e.g., producing amore immunogenic peptide, to more readily isolate a recombinantlysynthesized peptide, to identify and isolate antibodies andantibody-expressing B cells, and the like. Detection and purificationfacilitating domains include, e.g., metal chelating peptides such aspolyhistidine tracts and histidine-tryptophan modules that allowpurification on immobilized metals, protein A domains that allowpurification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain utilized inthe FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp, SeattleWash.). The inclusion of a cleavable linker sequences such as Factor Xaor enterokinase (Invitrogen, San Diego Calif.) between a purificationdomain and the motif-comprising peptide or polypeptide to facilitatepurification. For example, an expression vector can include anepitope-encoding nucleic acid sequence linked to six histidine residuesfollowed by a thioredoxin and an enterokinase cleavage site (see e.g.,Williams (1995) Biochemistry 34:1787-1797; Dobeli (1998) Protein Expr.Purif. 12:404-414). The histidine residues facilitate detection andpurification while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means forpurifying the epitope from the remainder of the fusion protein. In oneaspect, a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide of the invention isassembled in appropriate phase with a leader sequence capable ofdirecting secretion of the translated polypeptide or fragment thereof.Technology pertaining to vectors encoding fusion proteins andapplication of fusion proteins are well disclosed in the scientific andpatent literature, see e.g., Kroll (1993) DNA Cell. Biol. 12:441-53.

The nucleic acids and polypeptides of the invention can be bound to asolid support, e.g., for use in screening and diagnostic methods. Solidsupports can include, e.g., membranes (e.g., nitrocellulose or nylon), amicrotiter dish (e.g., PVC, polypropylene, or polystyrene), a test tube(glass or plastic), a dip stick (e.g., glass, PVC, polypropylene,polystyrene, latex and the like), a microfuge tube, or a glass, silica,plastic, metallic or polymer bead or other substrate such as paper. Onesolid support uses a metal (e.g., cobalt or nickel)-comprising columnwhich binds with specificity to a histidine tag engineered onto apeptide.

Adhesion of molecules to a solid support can be direct (i.e., themolecule contacts the solid support) or indirect (a “linker” is bound tothe support and the molecule of interest binds to this linker).Molecules can be immobilized either covalently (e.g., utilizing singlereactive thiol groups of cysteine residues (see, e.g., Colliuod (1993)Bioconjugate Chem. 4:528-536) or non-covalently but specifically (e.g.,via immobilized antibodies (see, e.g., Schuhmann (1991) Adv. Mater.3:388-391; Lu (1995) Anal. Chem. 67:83-87; the biotin/strepavidin system(see, e.g., Iwane (1997) Biophys. Biochem. Res. Comm. 230:76-80); metalchelating, e.g., Langmuir-Blodgett films (see, e.g., Ng (1995) Langmuir11:4048-55); metal-chelating self-assembled monolayers (see, e.g., Sigal(1996) Anal. Chem. 68:490-497) for binding of polyhistidine fusions.

Indirect binding can be achieved using a variety of linkers which arecommercially available. The reactive ends can be any of a variety offunctionalities including, but not limited to: amino reacting ends suchas N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) active esters, imidoesters, aldehydes,epoxides, sulfonyl halides, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, and nitroarylhalides; and thiol reacting ends such as pyridyl disulfides, maleimides,thiophthalimides, and active halogens. The heterobifunctionalcrosslinking reagents have two different reactive ends, e.g., anamino-reactive end and a thiol-reactive end, while homobifunctionalreagents have two similar reactive ends, e.g., bismaleimidohexane (BMH)which permits the cross-linking of sulfhydryl-containing compounds. Thespacer can be of varying length and be aliphatic or aromatic. Examplesof commercially available homobifunctional cross-linking reagentsinclude, but are not limited to, the imidoesters such as dimethyladipimidate dihydrochloride (DMA); dimethyl pimelimidate dihydrochloride(DMP); and dimethyl suberimidate dihydrochloride (DMS).Heterobifunctional reagents include commercially available activehalogen-NHS active esters coupling agents such as N-succinimidylbromoacetate and N-succinimidyl (4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (SLAB) andthe sulfosuccinimidyl derivatives such assulfosuccinimidyl(4-iodoacetyl)aminobenzoate (sulfo-SIAB) (Pierce).Another group of coupling agents is the heterobifunctional and thiolcleavable agents such as N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyidithio)propionate(SPDP) (Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, Ill.).

Antibodies can also be used for binding polypeptides and peptides of theinvention to a solid support. This can be done directly by bindingpeptide-specific antibodies to the column or it can be done by creatingfusion protein chimeras comprising motif-containing peptides linked to,e.g., a known epitope (e.g., a tag (e.g., FLAG, myc) or an appropriateimmunoglobulin constant domain sequence (an “immunoadhesin,” see, e.g.,Capon (1989) Nature 377:525-531 (1989).

Nucleic acids or polypeptides of the invention can be immobilized to orapplied to an array. Arrays can be used to screen for or monitorlibraries of compositions (e.g., small molecules, antibodies, nucleicacids, etc.) for their ability to bind to or modulate the activity of anucleic acid or a polypeptide of the invention. For example, in oneaspect of the invention, a monitored parameter is transcript expressionof a gene comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. One or more, or,all the transcripts of a cell can be measured by hybridization of asample comprising transcripts of the cell, or, nucleic acidsrepresentative of or complementary to transcripts of a cell, byhybridization to immobilized nucleic acids on an array, or “biochip.” Byusing an “array” of nucleic acids on a microchip, some or all of thetranscripts of a cell can be simultaneously quantified. Alternatively,arrays comprising genomic nucleic acid can also be used to determine thegenotype of a newly engineered strain made by the methods of theinvention. Polypeptide arrays” can also be used to simultaneouslyquantify a plurality of proteins.

The terms “array” or “microarray” or “biochip” or “chip” as used hereinis a plurality of target elements, each target element comprising adefined amount of one or more polypeptides (including antibodies) ornucleic acids immobilized onto a defined area of a substrate surface. Inpracticing the methods of the invention, any known array and/or methodof making and using arrays can be incorporated in whole or in part, orvariations thereof, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,277,628; 6,277,489; 6,261,776; 6,258,606; 6,054,270; 6,048,695;6,045,996; 6,022,963; 6,013,440; 5,965,452; 5,959,098; 5,856,174;5,830,645; 5,770,456; 5,632,957; 5,556,752; 5,143,854; 5,807,522;5,800,992; 5,744,305; 5,700,637; 5,556,752; 5,434,049; see also, e.g.,WO 99/51773; WO 99/09217; WO 97/46313; WO 96/17958; see also, e.g.,Johnston (1998) Curr. Biol. 8:R171-R174; Schummer (1997) Biotechniques23:1087-1092; Kern (1997) Biotechniques 23:120-124; Solinas-Toldo (1997)Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer 20:399-407; Bowtell (1999) Nature GeneticsSupp. 21:25-32. See also published U.S. patent applications Nos.20010018642; 20010019827; 20010016322; 20010014449; 20010014448;20010012537; 20010008765.

Host Cells and Transformed Cells

The invention also provides a transformed cell comprising a nucleic acidsequence of the invention, e.g., a sequence encoding a polypeptide ofthe invention, or a vector of the invention. The host cell may be any ofthe host cells familiar to those skilled in the art, includingprokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, such as bacterial cells, fungalcells, yeast cells, mammalian cells, insect cells, or plant cells.Exemplary bacterial cells include E. coli, Streptomyces, Bacillussubtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the generaPseudomonas, Streptomyces, and Staphylococcus. Exemplary insect cellsinclude Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9. Exemplary animal cells includeCHO, COS or Bowes melanoma or any mouse or human cell line. Theselection of an appropriate host is within the abilities of thoseskilled in the art.

Vectors may be introduced into the host cells using any of a variety oftechniques, including transformation, transfection, transduction, viralinfection, gene guns, or Ti-mediated gene transfer. Particular methodsinclude calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran mediatedtransfection, lipofection, or electroporation.

Engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient mediamodified as appropriate for activating promoters, selectingtransformants or amplifying the genes of the invention. Followingtransformation of a suitable host strain and growth of the host strainto an appropriate cell density, the selected promoter may be induced byappropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) andthe cells may be cultured for an additional period to allow them toproduce the desired polypeptide or fragment thereof.

Cells can be harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical orchemical means, and the resulting crude extract is retained for furtherpurification. Microbial cells employed for expression of proteins can bedisrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling,sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents. Suchmethods are well known to those skilled in the art. The expressedpolypeptide or fragment can be recovered and purified from recombinantcell cultures by methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanolprecipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography,phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography,affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectinchromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, incompleting configuration of the polypeptide. If desired, highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for finalpurification steps.

Various mammalian cell culture systems can also be employed to expressrecombinant protein. Examples of mammalian expression systems includethe COS-7 lines of monkey kidney fibroblasts and other cell linescapable of expressing proteins from a compatible vector, such as theC127, 3T3, CHO, HeLa and BHK cell lines.

The constructs in host cells can be used in a conventional manner toproduce the gene product encoded by the recombinant sequence. Dependingupon the host employed in a recombinant production procedure, thepolypeptides produced by host cells containing the vector may beglycosylated or may be non-glycosylated. Polypeptides of the inventionmay or may not also include an initial methionine amino acid residue.

Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce apolypeptide of the invention. Cell-free translation systems can usemRNAs transcribed from a DNA construct comprising a promoter operablylinked to a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or fragment thereof.In some aspects, the DNA construct may be linearized prior to conductingan in vitro transcription reaction. The transcribed mRNA is thenincubated with an appropriate cell-free translation extract, such as arabbit reticulocyte extract, to produce the desired polypeptide orfragment thereof.

The expression vectors can contain one or more selectable marker genesto provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cellssuch as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycin resistance for eukaryoticcell culture, or such as tetracycline or ampicillin resistance in E.coli.

For transient expression in mammalian cells, cDNA encoding a polypeptideof interest may be incorporated into a mammalian expression vector, e.g.pcDNA1, which is available commercially from Invitrogen Corporation (SanDiego, Calif., U.S.A.; catalogue number V490-20). This is amultifunctional 4.2 kb plasmid vector designed for cDNA expression ineukaryotic systems, and cDNA analysis in prokaryotes, incorporated onthe vector are the CMV promoter and enhancer, splice segment andpolyadenylation signal, an SV40 and Polyoma virus origin of replication,and M13 origin to rescue single strand DNA for sequencing andmutagenesis, Sp6 and T7 RNA promoters for the production of sense andanti-sense RNA transcripts and a Col E1-like high copy plasmid origin. Apolylinker is located appropriately downstream of the CMV promoter (and3′ of the T7 promoter).

The cDNA insert may be first released from the above phagemidincorporated at appropriate restriction sites in the pcDNAI polylinker.Sequencing across the junctions may be performed to confirm properinsert orientation in pcDNAI. The resulting plasmid may then beintroduced for transient expression into a selected mammalian cell host,for example, the monkey-derived, fibroblast like cells of the COS-1lineage (available from the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville,Md. as ATCC CRL 1650).

For transient expression of the protein-encoding DNA, for example, COS-1cells may be transfected with approximately 8 μg DNA per 10⁶ COS cells,by DEAE-mediated DNA transfection and treated with chloroquine accordingto the procedures described by Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, 1989, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, ColdSpring Harbor N.Y, pp. 16.30-16.37. An exemplary method is as follows.Briefly, COS-1 cells are plated at a density of 5×10⁶ cells/dish andthen grown for 24 hours in FBS-supplemented DMEM/F12 medium. Medium isthen removed and cells are washed in PBS and then in medium. Atransfection solution containing DEAE dextran (0.4 mg/ml), 100 μMchloroquine, 10% NuSerum, DNA (0.4 mg/ml) in DMEM/F12 medium is thenapplied on the cells 10 ml volume. After incubation for 3 hours at 37°C., cells are washed in PBS and medium as just described and thenshocked for 1 minute with 10% DMSO in DMEM/F12 medium. Cells are allowedto grow for 2-3 days in 10% FBS-supplemented medium, and at the end ofincubation dishes are placed on ice, washed with ice cold PBS and thenremoved by scraping. Cells are then harvested by centrifugation at 1000rpm for 10 minutes and the cellular pellet is frozen in liquid nitrogen,for subsequent use in protein expression. Northern blot analysis of athawed aliquot of frozen cells may be used to confirm expression ofreceptor-encoding cDNA in cells under storage.

In a like manner, stably transfected cell lines can also prepared, forexample, using two different cell types as host: CHO K1 and CHO Pro5. Toconstruct these cell lines, cDNA coding for the relevant protein may beincorporated into the mammalian expression vector pRC/CMV (Invitrogen),which enables stable expression. Insertion at this site places the cDNAunder the expression control of the cytomegalovirus promoter andupstream of the polyadenylation site and terminator of the bovine growthhormone gene, and into a vector background comprising the neomycinresistance gene (driven by the SV40 early promoter) as selectablemarker.

An exemplary protocol to introduce plasmids constructed as describedabove is as follows. The host CHO cells are first seeded at a density of5×10⁵ in 10% FBS-supplemented MEM medium. After growth for 24 hours,fresh medium is added to the plates and three hours later, the cells aretransfected using the calcium phosphate-DNA co-precipitation procedure(Sambrook et al, supra). Briefly, 3 μg of DNA is mixed and incubatedwith buffered calcium solution for 10 minutes at room temperature. Anequal volume of buffered phosphate solution is added and the suspensionis incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. Next, the incubatedsuspension is applied to the cells for 4 hours, removed and cells wereshocked with medium containing 15% glycerol. Three minutes later, cellsare washed with medium and incubated for 24 hours at normal growthconditions. Cells resistant to neomycin are selected in 10%FBS-supplemented alpha-MEM medium containing G418 (1 mg/ml). Individualcolonies of G418-resistant cells are isolated about 2-3 weeks later,clonally selected and then propagated for assay purposes.

EXAMPLES

A number of examples involved in the present invention are describedbelow. In most cases, alternative techniques can be used. The examplesare intended to be illustrative and are not limiting or restrictive tothe scope of the invention. Additional compounds were synthesizedfollowing the methods described below, substituting appropriatematerials readily known or available to one skilled in the art. Thesecompounds are shown along with mass spectroscopy data and in some casesbiological data in Tables 3, 4 and 5.

Example 1 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula I:

The tetra-substituted thiophene compounds represented by Formula I canbe prepared as shown in Scheme-1 (Abdelhamid, et. al., J. Chem. Res.,1999, 184-185 and references therein).

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (3)

The compound of formula (3) can be prepared by reacting compound offormula (2), where R¹=alkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl or aryl (e.g.phenylisothiocyanate), with a nitrile of formula (1) in an inert solvent(e.g. DMF), in the presence of a base (e.g. K₂CO₃), typically at ambienttemperature for 12-36 hours. When the reaction is substantiallycomplete, the product of formula (3) is isolated by conventional means,for example, distillation.

Step-2 Preparation of Formula Ia

The compound of formula Ia can be prepared conventionally by reactingcompound of formula (3) with a compound of formula (4) a basic medium,(e.g. K₂CO₃/DMF), at ambient temperature for several hours. When thereaction is substantially complete, the product of formula Ia can beisolated by conventional means (e.g. reverse phase HPLC) (Smith, et.al., J. Comb. Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370; and references therein).

Preparation of Formula I

The compound of formula I can be prepared by employing common aminealkylation chemistry (e.g. Borch reduction) (Borch, et al., J. Am. Chem.Soc., 1969, 91, 3996-3997).

Example 2 Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula Ib:

The tetra-substituted thiophenes represented by Formula Ib can beprepared as shown in Scheme-2 following the procedure of Abdelhamid, et.al. as described in J. Chem. Res., 1999,184-185.

Step-1 Preparation of Formula Ib

The compound of formula Ib can be prepared conventionally by reaction ofa β-cyano-carbonyl compound of formula (5), where R³=alkyl, heteroalkyl,heteroaryl, N(H)R, OR, or aryl (e.g. 2-cyanoacetamide), with anisothiocyanate of formula (6) where R⁴=alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl orheteroaryl (e.g. methylisothiocyanate) in an inert solvent (e.g. DMF),in the presence of a base (e.g. K₂CO₃), typically run at ambienttemperature for several hours. When the reaction is substantiallycomplete, β-halo-carbonyl compound of formula (7) can be added to thereaction mixture and run for several hours at ambient temperature. Theproduct can be isolated by conventional means (e.g. reverse phase HPLC).Smith, et. al., J. Comb. Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370).

Example 3 Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula Ib:

The tetra-substituted thiophene represented by Formula Ib can beprepared as shown in Scheme 3 (Sommen, et. al., Tetrahedron Lett., 2002,43, 257-259).

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (9)

The compound of formula (9) can be prepared conventionally by reactionof a β-cyano-carbonyl compound of formula (5), where R³=alkyl,heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, NR, OR, or aryl (e.g. 2-cyanoacetamide), withan isothiocyanate of formula (6) where R⁴=alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl orheteroaryl (e.g. methylisothiocyanate) in an inert solvent (e.g. DMF),in the presence of a base (e.g. K₂CO₃), typically run at ambienttemperature for several hours. When the reaction is substantiallycomplete, iodomethane (formula 8) is added to the reaction mixture andstirred for several hours at ambient temperature. When the reaction issubstantially complete, the product of formula (9) is isolated byconventional means (e.g. reverse phase HPLC; Smith, et. al., J. Comb.Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370).

Step-2 Preparation of Formula Ib

The compound of formula Ib is prepared conventionally by reaction ofcompounds of formula (9) with a thioglycolate of formula (10) whereR⁵=alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, OR, or NR. (e.g. ethylthioglycolate) in an inert solvent (e.g. EtOH), in the presence of abase (e.g. K₂CO₃), typically run at ambient temperature for severalhours. When the reaction is substantially complete, the product offormula Ib is isolated by conventional means (e.g. reverse phase HPLC).Smith, et. al., J. Comb. Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370; and referencestherein.

Example 4 Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula Ic:

The tetra-substituted thiophene represented by Formula Ic can beprepared as shown in Scheme-4 (Sommen, et. al., Tetrahedron Lett., 2002,43, 257-259).

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (11)

The compound of formula (11) can be prepared conventionally by reactionof malononitrile, with an isothiocyanate of formula (6) where R⁴=alkyl,aryl, heteroalkyl or heteroaryl (e.g. methylisothiocyanate) in an inertsolvent (e.g. DMF), in the presence of a base (e.g. K₂CO₃), typicallyrun at ambient temperature for several hours. When the reaction issubstantially complete, iodomethane (formula 8) can be added to thereaction mixture and stirred for several hours at ambient temperature.The product of formula (11) can be isolated by conventional means (e.g.reverse phase HPLC; Smith, et. al., J. Comb. Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370).

Step- Preparation of Formula Ic

The compound of Formula Ic can be prepared conventionally by reaction ofcompounds of formula (11) with a thioglycolate of formula (12) whereR⁵=alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, OR, or NR. (e.g. ethylthioglycolate) in an inert solvent (e.g. EtOH), in the presence of abase (e.g. K₂CO₃), typically run at ambient temperature for severalhours. When the reaction is substantially complete, the product offormula Ic is isolated by conventional means (e.g. reverse phase HPLC;Smith, et. al., J. Comb. Chem., 1999, 1, 368-370).

Example 5 Synthesis of the Compounds of Formula Ic:

The tetra-substituted thiophene represented by Formula Ic was preparedas shown in Scheme-2 following the procedure of Abdelhamid, et. al. asdescribed in J. Chem. Res., 1999, 184-185.

Step-1 Preparation of Formula Ic

The compound of formula Ic was prepared by reaction of malononitrilewith an isothiocyanate of formula (6) where R⁴=alkyl, aryl, heteroalkylor heteroaryl (e.g. methylisothiocyanate) in an inert solvent (e.g.DMF), in the presence of a base (e.g. K₂CO₃), run at ambient temperaturefor several hours. When the reaction was substantially complete,β-halo-carbonyl compound of formula (7) was added to the reactionmixture and run for several hours at ambient temperature. The productwas isolated by crystallization.

Example 6 Synthesis of compounds of Formula Ia (where X═O or NR⁴;R¹=alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R²=substituted amine, ether, or nitrile;R³=alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl):

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (14)

Compound of formula (14) can be prepared by bubbling hydrogen chloridegas into the solution of compound of formula (13) in ethanol, typicallyat 0° C. for 1 h and stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Compoundof formula (14) can be obtained by following the standard work-upprocedure, typically evaporate the solvent. (Journal of AmericanChemical Society, Vol. 68, 2393-2395, 1946 and references therein)

Step-2 Preparation of Formula (16)

Compound of formula (16) can be prepared conventionally by mixingcompound of formula (14) and thiocarbonyl reagent (15, e.g.1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole) in an inert solvent (e.g. THF). Themixture can be stirred until all the starting material is gone. Theproduct of formula (16) can be isolated by conventional means (e.g.column chromatography).

Step-3 Preparation of Formula (17)

Compound of formula (17) can be prepared by mixing compound of formula(16) and primary alkyl or arylamine in an inert solvent (e.g.acetonitrile). The resulting mixture can be heated if necessary.Compound of formula (17) can be obtained after the work-up procedure asdescribed in Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, Vol. 8, 1129-1130,1987.

Step-4 Preparation of Formula (18)

Compound of formula (18) can be prepared by stirring compound of formula(17) in an aqueous hydrochloric solution till the starting material isgone. This mixture can be heated as necessary. The inert solvent (e.g.ethyl acetate) can be added, and it can be dried over anhydrous salt(e.g. magnesium sulfate). After all solvent can be evaporized, theresidue can be dissolved in an inert solvent (e.g. chloroform). To aresulting solution, phosphorus trichloride can be added and stirred.Compound of formula (18) can be obtained after the work-up procedure asindicated in the reference papers, Synthetic Communications, Vol. 32,No. 12, 1791-1795, 2002; Heterocycles, Vol. 31, No. 4, 637-641, 1990 andreferences therein.

Step-5 Preparation of Formula (19)

Compound of formula (19) can be prepared by mixing crude compound offormula (18) with alcohol or primary alkyl or aryl amine. The mixturecan be heated as necessary. Compound of formula (19) can be obtainedafter the work-up procedure as indicated in the reference paper,Bioorganic Medicinal chemistry, Vol. 9, No. 4, 897-907, 2001 andreferences therein.

Step-6 Preparation of Formula IIa

Compound of formula ha can be prepared by mixing compound of formula(19) in an inert solvent (e.g. methylene chloride) with aluminumchloride, and compound of formula (20) can be added to the mixture.Compound of formula (19) can be obtained after the work-up procedure asdescribed in Journal of Heterocylic Chemistry, Vol. 34, No. 2, 567-572,1997, and references therein.

Example 7 Synthesis of compounds of Formula IIb (where R¹=alkyl, aryl,or heteroaryl; R²=alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, amino, substituted amine, orether; R³=alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl):

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (23)

Compound of formula (23) can be prepared by mixing compound of formula(21) in an inert solvent (e.g. THF) with aqueous base (e.g. NaOH) andcompound of formula (22) at 0° C. Compound of formula (23) can beobtained after the work-up procedure as described in Tetrahedron, Vol.57, No. 1, 153-156, 2001 and Journal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 65, No.21, 7244-7247, 2000.

Step-2 Preparation of Formula (25)

Compound of formula (25) can be prepared by mixing compound of formula(23) in an inert solvent (e.g. toluene) with a base (e.g. triethylamine), and can be added compound of formula (24) typically at roomtemperature. When the reaction is substantially complete, compound offormula (25) can be obtained after the work-up procedure as described inTetrahedron, Vol. 57, No. 1, 153-156, 2001 and Journal of OrganicChemistry, Vol. 65, No. 21, 7244-7247, 2000.

Step-3 Preparation of Formula (IIb)

Compound of formula (IIb) can be prepared by mixing compound of formula(25) in an inert solvent (e.g. toluene) under a nitrogen atmosphere andcan be heated at reflux temperature. When the reaction is substantiallycomplete, compound of formula (IIb) can be obtained after the work-upprocedure as described in Tetrahedron, Vol. 57, No. 1, 153-156, 2001 andJournal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 65, No. 21, 7244-7247, 2000.

Example 8 Synthesis of Compound 2-25 (Table 2A)

Compound 2-25

Exemplary compound 2-25 within Formula II,(4-amino-2-phenylamino-thiazol-5-yl)-phenyl-methanone, can be preparedaccording to Scheme 8 as follows:

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (29)

To a suspension of 2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-2-thiopseudourea hydrochloride(Compound 27, 1.24 g, 5.21 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (21 mL) was addedaqueous sodium hydroxide (1.00 M, 5.5 mL) dropwise at 0° C. followed byphenyl isothiocyanate (Compound 28, 655 μL, 5.47 mmol). The resultingsolution was stirred at 0° C. for one hour and at room temperature foranother hour. It was then diluted with ethyl acetate (40 mL) and water(10 mL), and two layers were separated. The organic phase was washedwith brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated. Thesolid residue was washed with mixture of dichloromethane and hexane toobtain compound 29 as a white solid (1.28 g, 3.78 mmol).

Step-2 Preparation of Formula (31)

To a solution of thiocarbamoylamidine (Compound 29, 122 mg, 0.363 mmol)in tetrahydrofuran (1.5 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was addedtriethylamine (56 μL) and followed by 2-bromoacetophenone (30, 72 mg,0.363 mmol) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred forfive hours, and then diluted with ethyl acetate (20 mL). The resultingmixture was washed with brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfateand evaporated to obtain Compound 31.

Step-3 Preparation of Formula (2-25)

A solution of S-alkylated compound (Compound 31, 0.363 mmol) and1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU, 54 μL) in toluene (10 mL) washeated at reflux temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere for two hours.The resulting solution was cooled to room temperature and diluted withethyl acetate (20 mL). It was then washed with water and saturatedammonium chloride solution. The organic phase was dried over anhydroussodium sulfate, evaporated, and purified by column chromatography (Ethylacetate/Hexane=2/3) to obtained Compound 2-25 as a white solid; (M+H):296.

Example 9 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula IIc (where R¹=alkyl, aryl,or heteroaryl; R³=alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl):

Step-1 Preparation of Formula (IIc)

Compound of formula (IIc) can be prepared by dissolving compound offormula (33) and compound of formula (22) in an inert solvent (e.g.CH₃CN) and adding potassium tert-butoxide in warm tert-butyl alcohol.After stirring for 30 minutes, typically at room temperature, compoundof formula (24) in an inert solvent (e.g. CH₃CN) is added. The resultingsolution is stirred at room temperature or heated (typically 80° C.) for3-10 h. The reaction is quenched with water and the product is isolatedby filtration (Chong, W. et al., WO9921845).

Example 10 Synthesis of Compound 2-33 (Table 2A)

Step-1 Preparation of Compound4-(4-Amino-5-benzoyl-thiazol-2-ylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester(Compound 2-33, Table 2A)

Cyanamide (compound 33, 0.0467 g, 1.1 mmol) and 4-ethoxycarbonylphenylisothiocyanate (compound 35, 0.211 g, 1.0 mmol) were dissolved inacetonitrile (10.0 mL) and stirred at room temperature. A solution ofpotassium tert-butoxide (0.130 g, 1.1 mmol) in a mixture of warmtert-butyl alcohol (10.0 mL) and acetonitrile (1 mL) was added. Theresulting solution was stirred for 30 minutes at room temp.2-Bromoacetophenone (compound 30, 0.203 g, 1.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (2mL) was added at room temperature and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 2 hours at room temperature. The reaction was quenched with water(100 mL) and the precipitated solid was filtered, washed with water anddiethyl ether. Compound 2-33 was obtained as a yellow solid (298 mg;M+H=368.1).

Example 11 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula III

Compounds of formula III are prepared by adding sulfonyl chloride offormula (35) to a solution of the amine of formula (36) in base (e.g.,pyridine) and stirred at room temperature, typically for 16 h, followedby work up by standard procedures, evaporation of the solvent andpurification.

Example 12 Synthesis of5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidquinolin-8-ylamide (Compound 3-16 in Table 3A).

8-Quinolinamine (compound (38), 0.0998 g, 0.692 mmol) andthiophenesulfonylchloride (0.212 g, 0.692 mmol) were dissolved inPyridine (10.0 mL, 0.124 mol). 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (0.010 g, 0.082mmol) was added, and the resulting solution was stirred over night atroom temperature. All solvents were removed and the product was purifiedby biotage column using 10-30% ethyl acetate hexane as solvent. Thepurified product was obtained as a yellow solid (M+1=415.4).

Example 13 Synthesis of Compound 1-29 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-(4-methyl-benzoyl)-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-29, Table 1A)

Malononitrile (0.661 g, 0.0100 mol) was dissolved inN,N-dimethylformamide (50 mL, 0.6 mol) and was stirred under anatmosphere of Argon. Potassium carbonate (1.52 g, 0.0110 mol) was addedand was stirred for 30 minutes. Isothiocyanatobenzene (1.49 g, 0.0110mol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours.2-Bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone, (2.34 g, 0.0110 mol) was added andthe reaction mixture was allowed to stir overnight. The resultant darkred solution was diluted with 150 mL ethyl acetate and washedsuccessively with 100 mL each of 1/2 saturated NaHCO₃ solution, 1N LiCl(2×) and 1N Na₂S₂O₃. The combined aqueous layers were discarded and theorganic layer was dried, filtered, and evaporated to collect 1.46 g ofthe desired product as pale yellow-orange crystals. MS(ESI)[M+H⁺]⁺=334.2.

Example 14 Synthesis of Compound 1-30 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-(benzoyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)amino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-30, Table 1 A)

4-Amino-5-(benzoyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)amino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone with2-methoxyphenylisothiocyante and 2-bromoacetophenone respectively toprovide compound 1-30. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=350.11.

Example 15 Synthesis of Compound 1-32 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4-methoxy-phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-32, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4-methoxy-phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile wasprepared as described in Example 13 substituting isothiocyanatobenzeneand 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone with4-methoxyphenylisothiocyante and 2-bromoacetophenone respectively toprovide compound 1-32. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=350.14.

Example 16 Synthesis of Compound 1-33 (Table 1A)

Preparation of 4-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybenzoyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile, (Compound 1-33,Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-(3′-methoxybenzoyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile, wasprepared as described in Example 13 substituting2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)- ethanone, with 2-bromo-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-ethanone, to provide compound 1-33. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=350.14.

Example 17 Synthesis of compound 1-143 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-143, Table 1A)

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,was prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone withcyclopentaneisothiocyanate and2-bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone respectively to providecompound 1-143. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=378.99.

Example 18 Synthesis of Compound 1-28 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-28, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,was prepared as described in Example 13 substituting,2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)- ethanone, with2-Bromo-1-cyclopropyl-ethanone to provide compound 1-28. ¹H NMR(DMSO-d6) 10.49 (s, 1H), 7.62 (bs, 2H), 7.45 (s, 4H), 7.24 (m, 1H), 1.79(m, 1H), 0.87 (m, 2H), 0.82 (m, 2H).

Example 19 Synthesis of Compound 1-173 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-((4-chlorophen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-173, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-((4-chlorophen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone withcyclopentaneisothiocyanate and 5-bromoacetyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)isoxazolerespectively to provide compound 1-173. MS(ESI) [M−H⁺]⁻=411.0.

Example 20 Synthesis Compound 1-172 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-((3,4-dichlorophen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-173, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-((3,4-dichlorophen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone withcyclopentaneisothiocyanate and5-bromoacetyl-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)isoxazole respectively to providecompound 1-172. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=448.9.

Example 21 Synthesis of Compound 1-179 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-179, Table 1A)

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5-cyclopropanecarbonyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone withcyclopentaneisothiocyanate and 2-bromo-1-cyclopropyl-ethanonerespectively to provide 1-179; MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺: 276.13.

Example 22 Synthesis of Compound 1-192 (Table 1A)

Preparation of4-Amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-192, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substituting2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone with2-bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone to provide compound 1-192.MS(ESI) [M−H⁺]⁻=385.05

Example 23 Prophetic Synthesis of Compound-P1

Preparation of3-[4-amino-3-cyano-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, (Compound 1-P1)

3-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, can be prepared as described in Example 13substituting isothiocyanatobenzene and2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone with3-isothiocyanato-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and2-bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone respectively to providecompound 1-P1.

Example 24 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P2

Preparation of4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-P2)

4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilecan be prepared by treating3-[4-amino-3-cyano-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (Compound 1-P1) with a strong acid (e.g.trifluoroacetic acid, sulfuric acid, HCl or the like) and subjecting thereaction mixture to aqueous work up (e.g. neutralizing with aqueous baseand extracting the product with an organic solvent) to isolate theproduct, compound 1-P2.

Example 25 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P3

Peparation of4-Amino-2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-P3)

4-Amino-2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,can be prepared by treating4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-P2) with methyl iodide, dimethylsulfate or suitablealkylating agent under basic conditions and subjecting the reactionmixture to standard aqueous work up (e.g. addition of water andextracting the product with an organic solvent) to isolate the product,compound 1-P3.

Example 26 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P4

Preparation of4-Amino-2-(1-methanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-P4)

4-Amino-2-(1-methanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilecan be prepared by treating4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(compound 1-P2) with methanesulfonyl chloride under basic conditions andsubjecting the reaction mixture to standard aqueous work up (e.g.addition of water and extracting the product with an organic solvent) toisolate the product, compound 1-P4.

Example 27 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P5

Preparation of4-Amino-2-(1-ethanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-P5)

4-Amino-2-(1-ethanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,can be prepared by treating4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(compound 1-P2) with ethanesulfonyl chloride under basic conditions andsubjecting the reaction mixture to standard aqueous work up (e.g.addition of water and extracting the product with an organic solvent) toisolate the product, compound 1-P5.

Example 28 Prophetic Synthesis of Compound 1-P6

Preparation of4-Amino-2-(1-benzenesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(Compound 1-P6)

4-Amino-2-(1-benzenesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,can be prepared by treating4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(compound 1-P2) with benzenesulfonyl chloride under basic conditions andsubjecting the reaction mixture to standard aqueous work up (e.g.addition of water and extracting the product with an organic solvent) toisolate the product, compound 1-P6.

Example 29 Synthesis of Compound 1-251 (Table 1A)

Preparation of 4-amino-5-[3-phenylisoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino thiophene-3-carboxylic acidamide, (Compound 1-251, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-143) (40 mg, 0.0001 mol) was slowly dissolved by conc.sulfuric acid (1 mL, 0.02 mol). The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 45 min. Ice was added and the mixture was diluted withwater (4 mL) followed by the addition of saturated potassium carbonatesolution to neutralize the acid. The product was extracted with ethylacetate and purified by preparative TLC to provide compound 1-251.MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=397.2.

Example 30 Synthesis of Compound 1-236 (Table 1A)

Preparation of 4-amino-5-[3-phenyl isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide, (Compound 1-236, Table 1A)

4-amino-5-[3-phenyl isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide was prepared as described in Example29 replacing4-amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazle-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile,(compound 1-209, Table 1A) to provide compound 1-236. MS(ESI)[M+H⁺]⁺=385.2

Example 31 Synthesis of Compound 1-253 (Table 1A)

Step 1: Preparation4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-220, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substituting2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone with1-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-bromo-ethanone.

Step 2: Preparation of4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-250, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(Compound 1-220, 20 mg, 0.05 mmol) was slowly dissolved in methanol (3mL). Palladium (10% on calcium carbonate) (5 mg, 0.02 mmol) was added.The reaction vessel was charged with an atmosphere of hydrogen gas andwas agitated over night. The reaction mixture was filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure to provide compound 1-250, which wasused without further purification.

Step 3: Preparation of 4-amino-5-[3-(4-aminophenyl)isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino thiophene-3-carboxylic acidamide, (Compound 1-253, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-aminophenyl) isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide was prepared using the same protocolas described in Example 29 substituting4-amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith 4amino-5-(4-amino-phen-3-yl)isoxazle-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile(compound 1-250) to provide compound 1-253. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=412.41.

Example 32 Synthesis of Compound 1-254 (Table 1A)

Step 1: Preparation4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 13 substitutingisothiocyanatobenzene and 2-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)-ethanone withisobutylisothiocyanate and1-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-bromo-ethanone.

Step 2: Preparation of4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewas prepared as described in Example 31 step 2, substituting4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylaino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-Amino-5-[3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile.

Step 3: Preparation of 4-amino-5-[3-(4-aminophenyl)isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide(compound 1-254, Table 1A)

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-aminophenyl) isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-isobutylaminothiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide was prepared as described in Example29 substituting4-amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-0.5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-amino-5-(4-amino-phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-isobutylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrileto provide Compound 1-254. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=400.44.

Example 33 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P7

Preparation of4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide

4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide can be prepared as described in Example 29 substituting4-amino-5-(phen-3-yl)isoxazol-5-yl)carbonyl-2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith3-[4-amino-3-cyano-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (Compound 1-P1).

Example 34 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P8

Preparation of4-Amino-2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide

4-Amino-2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide can be prepared as described in Example 25 substituting4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide (Compound 1-P7).

Example 35 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P9

Preparation of4-amino-2-(1-methanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide

4-Amino-2-(1-methanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide can be prepared as described in Example 26 substituting4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide (Compound 1-P7).

Example 36 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P10

Preparation of4-Amino-2-(1-ethanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide

4-Amino-2-(1-ethanesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide can be prepared using the same protocol as described inExample 27 substituting4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide (Compound 1-P7).

Example 37 Prophetic synthesis of Compound 1-P11

Preparation of4-amino-2-(1-benzenesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide

4-Amino-2-(1-benzenesulfonyl-pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide can be prepared as described in Example 28 by substituting4-amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrilewith4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylicacid amide (Compound 1-P7).

Example 38 Synthesis of Compound 2-30 (Table 2A)

Preparation of 2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino-4-amino-5-benzoylthiazole(Compound 2-30, Table 2A)

Cyanamide (0.0701 g, 0.00165 mol) and 2,6-dichlorophenyl isothiocyanate(0.312 g, 0.00150 mol) were dissolved in Acetonitrile (15.0 mL, 0.287mol). In another vessel, Potassium tert-Butoxide (0.195 g, 0.00165 mol)was dissolved in warm tert-Butyl alcohol (15.0 mL, 0.157 mol) and thecontents of this vessel were added to the first vessel. The resultingsolution was stirred for 30 minutes at room temp. 2-Bromoacetophenone(0.305 g, 0.00150 mol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 2 hours. 100 mL of water was added, and the resultant solid wasfiltered out. The solids were washed with water and diethyl ether toprovide compound 2-30 as a yellow solid. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=365.1

Example 39 Synthesis of Compound 2-33 (Table 2A)

Preparation of2-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)amino-4-amino-5-benzoylthiazole(Compound 2-33,Table 2A)

2-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)amino-4-amino-5-benzoylthiazole was preparedas described in Example 38 substituting 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate with 4-Ethoxycarbonyl phenylisothiocyanate to providecompound 2-33. MS(ESI) [M−H⁺]⁻=366.1

Example 40 Synthesis of Compound 2-1 (Table 2A)

Preparation of5-[4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro-phenylamino)-thiazole-5-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester(Compound 2-1, Table 2A)

5-[4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro-phenylamino)-thiazole-5-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester was prepared as described in Example 38 substituting2,6-dichlorophenyl isothiocyanate and bromoacetophenone with2-fluorophenyl isothiocyante and5-(2-Bromo-acetyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester respecivelyto provide compound 2-1. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=377.1

Example 41 Synthesis of Compound 2-9 (Table 2A)

Preparation of(4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-thiazol-5-yl)-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone(Compound 2-9)

(4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-thiazol-5-yl)-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanonewas prepared as described in Example 38 substituting 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate and bromoacetophenone with cyclopentyl isothiocyante and2-Bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone respecively to providecompound 2-9. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=355.1

Example 42 Synthesis of Compound 2-16 (Table 2A)

Preparation of4-amino-2-isobutylamino-thiazol-5-yl-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-methanone(Compound 2-16)

4-amino-2-isobutylamino-thiazol-5-yl-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-methanonewas prepared as described in Example 38 substituting 2,6-dichlorophenylisothiocyanate and bromoacetophenone with isobutyl isothiocyante and2-Bromo-1-(3-(4-chlorophenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone respecively toprovide compound 2-16. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=377.01

Example 43 Synthesis of Compound 1-240 (Table 1A)

Preparation of(3-Amino-5-cyclopentylamino-4-methyl-thiophen-2-yl)-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone(Compound 1-240, Table 1A).

Lithium hexamethyldisilazide (214 mg, 0.00124 mol) was dissolved in 5 mlof tetrahydrofuran under an atmosphere of Nitrogen. At −78 Celsius,Propanenitrile (0.0659 g, 0.00118 mol) was added. After 30 minutes,Isothiocyanato-cyclopentane (0.164 mL, 0.00130 mol) was added at −40Celsius. After 1 hour, the reaction mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and was stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture waschilled to −78 Celsius and lithium hexamethyldisilazide (0.214 g,0.00124 mol) in tetrahydrofuran was added. After 30 minutes,2-Bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone (0.378 g, 0.00142 mol) wasadded at −40 Celsius. The resulting reaction mixture was graduallywarmed to room temperature and allowed to stir overnight. The reactionwas quenched with the addition of saturated NH₄Cl solution and wasextracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brineand dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure and purified by silica gelchromatography to provide compound 1-240. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=368.1

Example 44 Synthesis of Compound 1-243 (Table 1A)

Preparation of[3-Amino-4-ethyl-5-(4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-thiophen-2-yl]-phenyl-methanone

[3-Amino-4-ethyl-5-(4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-thiophen-2-yl]-phenyl-methanonewas prepared as described in Example 43 substituting Propanenitrile,Isothiocyanato-cyclopentane and2-Bromo-1-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-ethanone with butanenitrile,4-phenoxyphenylisothiocyanate and 2-Bromo-1-phenyl-ethanone respectivelyto provide compound 1-243. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=415.0

Example 45 Synthesis of 4-(2-Methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Compound 3-62, Table 3A)

Step-1-Preparation of 4-Bromo-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 2

To a solution of 4-bromobenzene sulfonylchloride (1.10 g, 4.32 mmol) inpyridine (5 mL) was added 8-quinolinamine (1, 623 mg, 4.32 mmol) and thereaction mixture was stirred overnight at 25° C. Ethyl acetate was addedto the reaction mixture and the organic layer was washed with saturatedsodium carbonate (X 3), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered andconcentration under reduced pressure to afford a light brown solid (2,1.57 g, 3.80 mmol). MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=363.1; 365.1 (1:1)

Step-2-Preparation of 4-(2-Methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3

To a stirring solution of(4-bromo-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (2,111 mg, 0.307 mmol) in 1,4-Dioxane (2 mL) was added2-methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-yl-amine (165 mg, 0.863 mmol), cesiumcarbonate (140 mg, 0.429 mmol), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0)(9.6 mg, 0.010 mmol), and xanthphos (6.4 mg, 0.011 mmol). The reactionmixture was heated in a high pressure tube at 150° C. for overnight,cooled and filtrated over a bed of Celite. Ethyl acetate was added tothe resulting filtrate and the solution was washed with saturated sodiumcarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The crude material was purified usingpreparative HPLC (5-95% acetonitrile:water with 1.5% formic acid) toafford compound 3-62 as a white solid (52 mg, 0.110 mmol). MS(ESI)[M+H⁺]⁺=474.2

Example 46 Synthesis of 3-(2-methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Compound 3-63, Table 3A)

3-(2-Methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 4 was prepared using the sameprotocol as described in Example 45, substituting 4-bromobenzenesulfonylchloride with 3-bromobenzene sulfonylchloride;MS(ESI)[M+H⁺]⁺:474.2

Example 47 Synthesis of3-(Pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (Compound3-61, Table 3A)

3-(Pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 5 wasprepared using the same protocol as described in Example 45,substituting 4-bromobenzene sulfonylchloride with 3-bromobenzenesulfonylchloride and 2-methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-yl-amine with4-aminopyrimidine. MS(ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=378.0.

Example 48 Cloning of PDE4B Phosphodiesterase Domain

PDE4B cDNA sequence was amplified from a Human Brain, hippocampusQUICK-Clone cDNA library (Clontech, #7169-1) by PCR using the followingprimers:

(SEQ ID NO:5) PDE4B-S: 5′-CCGAATT CATATG AGCATCTCACGCTTTGGAGTC-3′ (SEQID NO:6) PDE4B-A: 5′-TGTGCT CTCGAG TTA GCTGTGTCCCTCTCCCTCC-3′

An internal NdeI site was then engineered out by site directedmutagenesis using the following primers:

PDE4B-NDE1: 5′-GATATGTCTAAACACATGAGCCTGCTGGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:7)PDE4B-NDE2: 5′-GCCAGCAGGCTCATGTGTTTAGACATATC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:8)

The resulting PCR fragment was digested with NdeI and SalI and subclonedinto the pET15S vector.

In this expression plasmid, residues 152-528 of PDE4B (NCBI sequenceJC1519, SEQ ID NO:1) are in frame with an N-terminal His-tag followed bya thrombin cleavage site.

The sequence of pET15S, with multi-cloning site is shown in FIG. 1.

pETI 15S vector is derived from pET15b vector (Novagen) for bacterialexpression to produce the proteins with N-terminal His6 (SEQ ID NO: 18).This vector was modified by replacement of NdeI-BamHI fragment to othersto create a SalI site and stop codon (TAG). Vector size is 5814 bp.Insertion can be performed using NdeI-SalI site. The nucleic acid andamino acid sequences for the PDE4B phosphodiesterase domain utilized areprovided in FIGS. 2-3.

Example 49 Purification of PDE4B

PDE4B is purified from E. coli cells [BL21(DE3)Codon Plus(RIL)(Novagen)] grown in Terrific broth that has been supplemented with 0.2mM Zinc Acetate and 1 mM MgCl2 and induced for 16-20 h with 1 mM IPTG at22° C. The centrifuged bacterial pellet (typically 200-250 g from 16 L)is suspended in lysis buffer (0.1M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 8.0,10% glycerol, 1 mM PMSF). 100 ug/ml of lysozyme is added to the lysateand the cells are lysed in a Cell Disruptor (MicroFluidics). The cellextract is clarified at 5000 rpm in a Sorvall SA6000 rotor for 1 h, andthe supernatant is recentrifuged for another hour at 17000 rpm in aSorvall SA 600 rotor. 5 mM imidazole (pH 8.0) is added to the clarifiedsupernatant and 2 ml of cobalt beads (50% slurry) is added to each 35 mlof extract. The beads are mixed at 4 C for 3-4 h on a Nutator and thebeads are recovered by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 3 min. Thepelleted beads are washed several times with lysis buffer and the beadsare packed on a BioRad disposable column. The bound protein is elutedwith 3-4 column volumes of 0.1M imidazole followed by 0.25M imidazole,both prepared in lysis buffer. The protein eluted from the cobalt beadsis concentrated on Centriprep-10 membranes (Amicon) and separated on aPharmacia Superdex 200 column (26/60) in low salt buffer (25 mMTris-HCl, pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, 14 mM beta-mercaptoethanol). At thisstage the PDE proteins are treated with thrombin for 16-20 hours at roomtemperature. The PDE proteins are further purified by anion exchangechromatography on a Pharmacia Source Q column (10/10) in 20 mM Tris-HClpH 8 and 14 mM beta-mercaptoethanol using a NaCl gradient in anAKTA-FPLC (Pharmacia).

Example 50 Crystallization of PDE4B Phosphodiesterase Domain

Crystals of PDE4B were grown in 30% PEG 400, 0.2M MgCl₂, 0.1M Tris pH8.5, 1 mM Cmpd 1-2, 15.9 mg/ml protein at 4° C., using an Intelliplate(Robbins Scientific, Hampton) by mixing one microliter of protein withone microliter of precipitant. Data was collected to 1.4 Å.

Additionally, PDE4B crystals were grown in 20% PEG 3000, 0.2M Ca(OAc)₂,0.1M Tris pH 7.0, 1 mM Cmpd 1-2, 15.9 mg/ml protein at 4° C., using anIntelliplate (Robbins Scientific, Hampton) by mixing one microliter ofprotein with one microliter of precipitant. Data was collected to 1.7 Å.

Example 51 Structure Determination of PDE4B

The structure of PDE4B was solved using molecular replacement, using thepreviously deposited coordinates for PDE4B. The atomic coordinates forthe PDE4B structure determined are provided in Table 1 and coordinatesfor co-crystal structures are provided in Tables 2, 3, and 4, all ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/569,435, filed May 6, 2004, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Furthermore, using the methods of crystallization and crystallographydescribed herein, co-crystals and/or co-crystal structures incombination with PDE4B and/or PDE4D have been obtained for a pluralityof compounds such as, without limitation, Cmpds 2-23, 2-24, 2-25, 2-26,3-16, 2-30, 2-89, 2-34, 2-93, 1-191, 2-98, 2-100, 2-51, 2-80, 2-6,2-82,2-80, 2-54, 1-219, 1-250, 1-242, 3-63, and 1-249; see Tables 3A, 4A, and5A for compound structures.

Example 52 PDE Binding Assays

Binding assays can be performed in a variety of ways, including avariety of ways known in the art. For example, as indicated above,binding assays can be performed using fluorescence resonance energytransfer (FRET) format, or using an AlphaScreen

Alternatively, any method which can measure binding of a ligand to thecAMP-binding site can be used. For example, a fluorescent ligand can beused. When bound to PDE4B, the emitted fluorescence is polarized. Oncedisplaced by inhibitor binding, the polarization decreases.

Determination of IC50 for compounds by competitive binding assays. (Notethat K₁ is the dissociation constant for inhibitor binding; K_(D) is thedissociation constant for substrate binding.) For this system, the IC50,inhibitor binding constant and substrate binding constant can beinterrelated according to the following formula:

When using radiolabeled substrate

${K_{I} = \frac{{IC}_{50}}{1 + {\left\lbrack L^{*} \right\rbrack/K_{D}}}},$

-   -   the IC₅₀˜K₁ when there is a small amount of labeled substrate.

Example 53 PDE Activity Assay

As an exemplary phosphodiesterase assay, the effect of potentialmodulators phosphodiesterase activity of PDE4B, PDE5A, and other PDEswas measured in the following assay format:

Reagents

Assay Buffer

-   -   50 mM Tris, 7.5    -   8.3 mM MgCl₂    -   1.7 mM EGTA    -   0.01% BSA    -   Store @ 4 degrees

RNA binding YSi SPA beads

Beads are 100 mg/ml in water. Dilute to 5 mg/ml in 18 mM Zn using 1MZnAcetate/ZnSO₄ solution(3:1) and water. Store @ 4 degrees.

Low control compounds Concentration of 20X DMSO Stock PDE1B:8-methoxymethyl IBMX 20 mM PDE2A: EHNA 10 mM PDE3B: Milrinone  2 mMPDE4D: Rolipram 10 mM PDE5A: Zaprinast 10 mM PDE7B: IBMX 40 mM PDE10A:Dipyridamole  4 mM

Enzyme concentrations (2× final concentration. Diluted in assay buffer)

-   -   PDE1B 50 ng/ml    -   PDE2A 50 ng/ml    -   PDE3B 10 ng/ml    -   PDE4D 5 ng/ml    -   PDE5A 20 ng/ml    -   PDE7B 25 ng/ml    -   PDE 10A 5 ng/ml)

Radioligands

[³H] cAMP (Amersham TRK559). Dilute 2000× in assay buffer.

[³H] cGMP (Amersham TRK392). For PDE5A assay only. Dilute 2000× in assaybuffer.

Protocol

Make assay plates from 2 mM, 96 well master plates by transferring 1 ulof compound to 384 well plate using BiomekFx. Final concentration ofcompounds will be ˜100 μM. Duplicate assay plates are prepared from eachmaster plate so that compounds are assayed in duplicate.

To column 23 of the assay plate add 1 ul of 20× DMSO stock ofappropriate control compound. These will be the low controls.

Columns 1 and 2 of Chembridge library assay plates and columns 21 and 22of the Maybridge library assay plates have 1 ul DMSO. These are the highcontrols.

Using BiomekFx, pipet 10 μl of radioligand into each assay well, then,using the same tips, pipet 10 μl of enzyme into each well.

Seal assay plate with transparent cover. Centrifuge briefly @11000 RPM,them mix on plate shaker for 10 s.

-   -   Incubate @ 30° for 30 min.

Using BiomekFx, add 10 μl of bead mixture to each assay well. Mix beadsthoroughly in reservoir immediately prior to each assay plate addition.

Re-seal plate with fresh transparent cover. Mix on plate shaker for 10s, then centrifuge for 1 min. @ 1000 RPM.

Place plates in counting racks. Let stand for ≧30 min, then count onWallac TriLux using program 8.

Analyze data as % inhibition of enzyme activity. Average of highcontrols=0% inhibition. Average of low controls=100% inhibition.

Example 54 PDE4 IC₅₀ Determinations

IC₅₀s were determined by Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA). Theprinciple of the assay is based on the fact that cAMP, the PDE4substrate, binds weakly to Yittrium Silicate SPA beads, whereas AMP, theproduct of PDE4 hydrolysis binds strongly. Thus, the extent of PDE4hydrolysis of a sample of [³H]cAMP can be measured because only the

[³H]AMP produced by PDE4 hydrolysis will bind to the SPA beads andproduce a scintillation signal.

PDE4 enzymes used for IC₅₀ assays were:

PDE4B: The catalytic domain of human PDE4B from S152-S528 with an N-terminal His6 tag (SEQ ID NO: 18) and thrombin cleavage site, expressedin E. coli and purified by metal ion affinity chromatography. Enzyme wasstored in 50% glycerol at −20°.

PDE4D: The catalytic domain of human PDE4B from S3 16-V692 with an N-terminal His6 tag (SEQ ID NO: 18) and thrombin cleavage site, expressedin E. coli and purified by metal ion affinity chromatography. Enzyme wasstored in 50% glycerol at −20°.

PDE4B2: The full-length human PDE4B2 isozyme with an N-terminal His6 tag(SEQ ID NO: 18) and TEV cleavage site expressed in baculovirus infectedinsect cells. The enzyme was not purified from the cell lysates, soenzyme concentrations were not determined. Enzyme was stored in 50%glycerol at −20°.

PDE4D5: The full-length human PDE4D5 isozyme with an N-terminal His6 tag(SEQ ID NO: 18) and TEV cleavage site expressed in baculovirus infectedinsect cells. The enzyme was not purified from the cell lysates, soenzyme concentrations were not determined. Enzyme was stored in 50%glycerol at −20°.

IC₅₀ procedure

Compounds tested (see Tables 3B, 4B and 5A for compounds and results)were 3-fold serially diluted 11 times in DMSO from a startingconcentration of 4 mM or 40 μM, depending on compound potency. 1 μl ofeach dilution was transferred into duplicate wells of a whitepolystyrene 384-well assay plate (Coming #3705). In addition to thecompound dilutions, each assay plate contained control wells with 1 μlof DMSO (to define 0% enzyme inhibition) or 1 μl of 200 μM roflumilast(to define 100% enzyme inhibition). Using a Beckman FX robot, 10 μl of[³H] cAMP (Amersham TRK559) at 2 mCi/ml in assay buffer (50 mM Tris, pH7.5; 8.3 mM MgCl; 1.7 mM EGTA; 0.01% BSA) was transferred to each assaywell. Next, 10 μl of PDE4 enzyme in assay buffer was added and theplates were shaken for 30 s. at 1000 rpm to start the cAMP hydrolysisreaction. The concentrations of enzyme used were: PDE4B, 80 ng/ml;PDE4D, 4 ng/ml; PDE4B2, 2.5 μl of 50% glycerol stock/ml; PDE4D5 0.083 μlof 50% glycerol stock/ml. Assay plates were covered and incubated for 30min. at 30°. Reactions were stopped by robotic addition of 10 μl of 5mg/ml SPA beads (Amersham RPNQ0013) in 18 mM ZnSO₄. The assay plateswere covered with clear plastic film, centrifuged for 1 min. at 1000 RPMto settle the SPA beads, and counted using a Wallac TriLux scintillationcounter. IC₅₀'s were calculated from the raw assay data by non-linearregression curve fitting using the Assay Explorer software package fromMDL.

Example 55 TNF alpha production by stimulation with LPS in whole bloodcultures

Compounds were assayed to generate IC₅₀ numbers as described in Example54, using the following assay protocol (see Tables 3B and 4B forcompounds and results).

Protocol

-   -   1) Obtained 20 mM DMSO aliquots of desired concentrations of        compounds (see Tables 3B and 4B for compounds tested and        results). Placed 2 μl/well compound in DMSO in the top row of        the dilution plate. Added 98 μl of RPMI 1640 media w/2.5% heat        inactivated FBS.

2) Made the same media with 2% DMSO in it. Added 60 μl/well to well tomake compound titration. Took 30 μl of top row and did a 1:3 dilutiondown the plate. In column 11 added 4 wells of 50 μM roflumilast andpiclamilast. In column 12 added 2% DMSO media.

3) Transfered 20 μl/well into assay plates in duplicate.

4) Obtained human Buffy coat.

5) Diluted blood with 7 volumes of RPMI 1640 media with 1% P/S and 2.5%heat inactivated FBS (a 1:8 dilution)

6) Added160 μl/well of diluted blood to the assay plates.

7) Incubated for 1 hour at 37 degrees 5% CO2

8) Diluted LPS (which was already diluted to 1 mg/ml in PBS, 20 μlaliquots frozen −20 C.) to 10× desired final concentration to make a1000 fold dilution (final concentration should be 100 ng/ml).

9) After 1 hour incubation added 20 μl/well of LPS to plates. A non-LPStreated background was also prepared. Samples were put on the shaker fora one minute 900 rpm.

10) Incubated for 4 hours in incubator.

11) After incubation, put on the shaker for a one minute 900 rpm andspun plate at 100 g for 10 minutes, Decel 5.

12) Carefully pipetted the top 75 μl supernatant into a new plate.Samples were frozen as needed.

Biosource hu-TNF ALPHA ELISA

-   -   REAGENTS USED    -   DPBS 10×: VWR45000-428 (dilute 1:10 with Millipore Water)    -   TWEEN 20: FISHER BP337-500    -   CAPTURE AND DETECTION ANTIBODIES: R&D DY510E    -   STREP-HRP: Biosource part SNN4004X    -   COLOR REAGENTS: R&D DY994    -   STOP SOLUTION: from chemistry, or R&D DY999    -   1) Thawed samples to RT as needed.    -   2) Added 50 μl Incubation buffer/well.    -   3) Added 50 μl blood samples +50 μl Diluent buffer    -   4) Incubated 2 hours at room temp.    -   5) Washed the plate 4× with 300 μl/well wash buffer with        microfill. Wash buffer was DPBS with 0.05% Tween pH 7.2-7.4    -   6) Added 100 μl biotinylated anti-TNFalpha    -   7) Incubateed 1 hours at room temp.    -   8) Washed the plate 4× with 300 μl/well wash buffer with        microfill. Wash buffer was DPBS with 0.05% Tween pH 7.2-7.4    -   9) Added¹⁰⁰ μl Streptavidin-HRP working solution    -   10) Incubated for 30 minutes at room temp.    -   11) Washed the plate 4× with 300 μl/well wash buffer with        microfill. Wash buffer was DPBS with 0.05% Tween pH 7.2-7.4    -   12) Added 100 μl Chromagen    -   13) Incubated in the dark for 30 minutes until the blue color        developed satisfactorily.    -   14) Added 100 μl/well stop solution (2 N H₂SO₄).    -   15) Read plate on WallacVictor at 450 nm for 0.1 sec/well

Example 56 Rat Inhibition Studies

All studies were done with male rats CD (SD) IGS BR (Crl) (CharlesRiver, France), which were grouped in to 5 animal groups. Compound doseswere as indicated in Tables 3B and 4B, dosing at 100 mg/kg po unlessindicated otherwise in the Table.

At the end of the acclimatization period, the non-fasted rats wereweighed, individually identified on the tail with a permanent marker andadministered by oral (po) or interperitoneal (ip) route with eithervehicle, reference or test compound in a volume of 10 mL/kg adapted tothe body weight. The animals were gathered in groups of 5 animals in apolystyrene labeled cage with sawdust covered floors. 2-hours aftervehicle, reference or test substance administration, rats received anintravenous (iv) injection of 0.1 mg/kg LPS in a volume of 1 mL/kg ofbody weight. 2 h after LPS challenge (or as indicated in Tables 3B and4B), blood samples were collected into tubes without anticoagulant byretro-orbital puncture under gas (isoflurane) anesthesia. Samples wereallowed to clot at room temperature for 5 to 10 min then put on iceuntil there were prepared by centrifugation (6000×g for 3 min at 4° C.)and stored at −20° C. until use. TNFα levels were measured in serumsamples in duplicate by ELISA technique according to the manufacturer'sprocedure (Rat TNFα kit Quantikine M (RTA00, R&D System, France)). Dataare reported as percent decrease in observed TNFα levels versus TNFalevels observed for vehicle dosed animal groups.

Example 57 Site-directed Mutagenesis of PDE4B

Mutagenesis of PDE4B can be carried out according to the followingprocedure as described in Molecular Biology: Current Innovations andFuture Trends. Eds. A. M. Griffin and H. G. Griffin. (1995) ISBN1-898486-01-8, Horizon Scientific Press, PO Box 1, Wymondham, Norfolk,U.K., among others.

In vitro site-directed mutagenesis is an invaluable technique forstudying protein structure-function relationships, gene expression andvector modification. Several methods have appeared in the literature,but many of these methods require single-stranded DNA as the template.The reason for this, historically, has been the need for separating thecomplementary strands to prevent reannealing. Use of PCR insite-directed mutagenesis accomplishes strand separation by using adenaturing step to separate the complementing strands and allowingefficient polymerization of the PCR primers. PCR site-directed methodsthus allow site-specific mutations to be incorporated in virtually anydouble-stranded plasmid; eliminating the need for M13-based vectors orsingle-stranded rescue.

It is often desirable to reduce the number of cycles during PCR whenperforming PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis to prevent clonalexpansion of any (undesired) second-site mutations. Limited cyclingwhich would result in reduced product yield, is offset by increasing thestarting template concentration. A selection is used to reduce thenumber of parental molecules coming through the reaction. Also, in orderto use a single PCR primer set, it is desirable to optimize the long PCRmethod. Further, because of the extendase activity of some thermostablepolymerases it is often necessary to incorporate an end-polishing stepinto the procedure prior to end-to-end ligation of the PCR-generatedproduct containing the incorporated mutations in one or both PCRprimers.

The following protocol provides a facile method for site-directedmutagenesis and accomplishes the above desired features by theincorporation of the following steps:

-   -   (i) increasing template concentration approximately 1000-fold        over conventional PCR conditions; (ii) reducing the number of        cycles from 25-30 to 5-10; (iii) adding the restriction        endonuclease DpnI (recognition target sequence: 5-Gm6ATC-3,        where the A residue is methylated) to select against parental        DNA (note: DNA isolated from almost all common strains of E.        coli is Dam-methylated at the sequence 5-GATC-3); (iv) using Taq        Extender in the PCR mix for increased reliability for PCR to 10        kb; (v) using Pfu DNA polymerase to polish the ends of the PCR        product, and (vi) efficient intramolecular ligation in the        presence of T4 DNA ligase.

Plasmid template DNA (approximately 0.5 pmole) is added to a PCRcocktail containing, in 25 ul of 1× mutagenesis buffer: (20 mM Tris HCl,pH 7.5; 8 mM MgCl2; 40 ug/ml BSA); 12-20 pmole of each primer (one ofwhich must contain a 5-prime phosphate), 250 uM each dNTP, 2.5 U Taq DNApolymerase, 2.5 U of Taq Extender (Stratagene).

The PCR cycling parameters are 1 cycle of: 4 min at 94 C, 2 min at 50 Cand 2 min at 72° C.; followed by 5-10 cycles of 1 min at 94° C., 2 minat 54 C and 1 min at 72° C.

The parental template DNA and the linear, mutagenesis-primerincorporating newly synthesized DNA are treated with DpnI (10 U) and PfuDNA polymerase (2.5 U). This results in the DpnI digestion of the invivo methylated parental template and hybrid DNA and the removal, by PfuDNA polymerase, of the Taq DNA polymerase-extended base(s) on the linearPCR product.

The reaction is incubated at 37° C. for 30 min and then transferred to72° C. for an additional 30 min (step 2).

Mutagenesis buffer (1×, 115 ul, containing 0.5 mM ATP) is added to theDpnI-digested, Pfu DNA polymerase-polished PCR products.

The solution is mixed and 10 ul is removed to a new microfuge tube andT4 DNA ligase (2-4 U) added.

The ligation is incubated for greater than 60 min at 37° C. (step 3).

The treated solution is transformed into competent E. coli (step 4).

In addition to the PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis described above,other methods are available. Examples include those described in Kunkel(1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 82:488-492; Eckstein et al. (1985) Nucl.Acids Res. 13:8764-8785; and using the GeneEditor™ Site-DirectedMutageneis Sytem from Promega.

TABLE 1A Exemplary compounds of Formula I Cmpd number Structure Name M +H 1-1

4-Amino-5-(4-bromo- benzoyl)-2-(2-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester N/A 1-2

4-Amino-2-(2-methoxy- phenylamino)-5-(4- methyl-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-3

3-Amino-2-(4-bromo- benzoyl)-4-methyl-7H- thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-6-one N/A1-4

3-Amino-4,7,7-trimethyl-5- oxo-4,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-thieno[2,3-b]quinoline-2- carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-5

5-Acetyl-3-amino-4-(4-chloro- phenyl)-6-methyl-4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine- 2-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-6

3-Amino-2-(4-ethyl- phenylcarbamoyl)-6-oxo- 6,7-dihydro-thieno[2.3-b]pyridine- 5-carboxylic acid N/A 1-7

5-Acetyl-3-amino-4-furan- 2-yl-6-methyl-4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine- 2-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-8

1-[3-Amino-2-(4-ethyl- benzoyl)-6-methyl-4-pyridin- 3-yl-4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-5- yl]-ethanone N/A 1-9

1-[3-Amino-6-methyl-2-(3- nitro-benzoyl)-4-pyridin- 3-yl-4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridin-5- yl]-ethanone N/A 1-10

3-Amino-2-carbamoyl- 6-oxo-6,7-diliydro- thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid N/A 1-11

3-Amino-6-oxo-4-p-tolyl- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[2,3- b]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-12

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2- phenylamino- thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide N/A1-13

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- ethylamino-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid methyl esterN/A 1-14

3-Amino-4-(1H-benzoimidazol- 2-yl)-5-phenylamino- thiophene-2-carboxylicacid amide N/A 1-15

3-Amino-4-(1H-benzoimidazol- 2-yl)-5-phenylamino- thiophene-2-carboxylicacid ethyl ester N/A 1-16

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2- phenylamino-thiophene-3- carbonitrile N/A 1-17

4-Amino-2-(4-chloro- phenylamino)-5-(3- chloro-thiophene-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3- carbonitrile N/A 1-18

4-Amino-2-(4-chloro- phenylamino)-5-(2,4- dichloro-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-19

4-Amino-5-(4-chloro- benzoyl)-2-(2-cyano-4,5- dimethoxy-phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-20

4-Amino-5-(4-chloro- benzoyl)-2-phenylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrileN/A 1-21

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(2- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester N/A 1-22

4-Amino-5-(4-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(2-fluoro-phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester N/A 1-23

4-Amino-5-(5-chloro- benzofuran-2-carbonyl)- 2-(4-chloro-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiophene-3- carbonitrile N/A 1-24

4-Amino-5-(4-bromo-benzoyl)- 2-(2,6-dimethyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester N/A 1-25

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- phenylamino-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid thiazol-2-yl amide N/A 1-26

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- phenylamino-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid (5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-amide N/A 1-27

3-Amino-2-(3,4-dichloro- benzoyl)-4-methyl-7H- thioeno[2,3-b]pyridin-6-one N/A 1-28

4-Amino-5- cyclopropanecarbonyl- 2-phenylamino-thiophene- 3-carbonitrileN/A 1-29

4-Amino-5-(4-methyl- benzoyl)-2-phenylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile334.2 1-30

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(2- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile350.11 1-31

4-Amino-5-(4-methoxy- benzoyl)-2-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile350.1 1-32

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2- (4-methoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile350.14 1-33

4-Amino-5-(3-methoxy- benzoyl)-2-phenylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile350.1 1-34

4-Amino-5-(biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-2-phenylamino- thiophene-3-carbontrileN/A 1-35

4-Amino-5-(naphthalene- 2-carbonyl)-2- phenylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-36

4-Amino-2-(4-chloro- phenylamino)-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 384.05 1-37

4-Amino-2-(4-fluoro- phenylamino)-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 368.12 1-38

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-2-(2- piperidin-1-yl-ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 383.1 1-39

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-piperidin- 1-yl-ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 415.5 1-40

4-Amino-5-cyclopentylamino- 5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 372.3 1-41

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-piperidin- 1-yl-ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-42

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (2,4-dimethoxy-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 432.3 1-43

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5-(2,4- dimethoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 371.9 1-44

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3- carbonitrile 388.3 1-45

4-Amino-5-(benzofuran-3- carbonyl)-2-(2-piperidin- 1-yl-ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 395.1 1-46

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-2-(2-piperidin- 1-yl-ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 389.1 1-47

4-Amino-5-(3-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(2-piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 389.5 1-48

4-Amino-5-(benzo[b]thiophene- 3-carbonyl)-2-(2- piperidin-1-yl-ethylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 411.1 1-49

4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-5- (5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 418.3 1-50

4-Amino-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-5-(5-methyl- 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 430.3 1-51

4-Amino-5-(5-methyl-1- phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4- carbonyl)-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 435.1 1-52

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H- pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]- 4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 452.3 1-53

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-1-phenyl-1H- pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]- 4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 470.31-54

4-Amino-2-(3,4-dimethoxy- benzylamino)-5-(5- methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 474.3 1-55

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 392.3 1-56

4-Amino-5-(5-methyl-1-phenyl- 1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-2-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3- ylamino)-thiophene-3- carbonitrile 408.3 1-57

4-Amino-5-(5-methyl-1-phenyl- 1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-2-[(tetrahydro-furan-2- ylmethyl)-amino]-thiophene-3- carbonitrile 408.31-58

4-Amino-2-(2-ethyl-phenylamino)- 5-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 428.3 1-59

4-Amino-5-(5-methyl-3-phenyl- isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)-thiophene-3- carbonitrile 436.3 1-60

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl- isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]- 4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 453.1 1-61

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (5-methyl-3-phenyl- isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 393.1 1-62

4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole- 5-carbonyl)-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 421.9 1-63

4-Amino-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 356.3 1-64

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 373.1 1-65

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)- thiophen-2ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl-butyric acid methyl ester 391.1 1-66

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbontrile 313.1 1-67

4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-5-(5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 421.1 1-68

4-Amino-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-5-(5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 433.1 1-69

4-Amino-2-(3-cyano- phenylamino)-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)-thiophene- 3-carbonitrile 427.9 1-70

4-Amino-2-(2-piperidin- 1-yl-ethylamino)-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)-thiophene- 3-carbonitrile 438.3 1-71

4-Amino-2-(indan-5-ylamino)- 5-(5-pyridin-2-yl- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 443.1 1-72

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene- 2-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl- pentanoic acid methyl ester 455.1 1-73

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene- 2-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-benzoic acid methyl ester 461.1 1-74

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene- 2-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-4- methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 473.1 1-75

4-Amino-2-(3,4- dimethoxy- benzylamino)-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 477.1 1-76

4-Amino-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 495.1 1-77

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2- carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)- benzamide 529.9 1-78

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino- 5-(5-pyridin-2-yl- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 395.1 1-79

4-Amino-2-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-ylamino)-5- (5-pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 411.1 1-80

4-Amino-5-(5-pyridin-2-yl- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-2-[(tetrahydro-furan-2- ylmethyl)-amino]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 411.11-81

4-Amino-2-(2-ethyl- phenylamino)-5-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 431.1 1-82

4-Amino-5-[3-(2,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 490.3 1-83

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-(2-piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 490.3 1-84

2-{4-Amino-3-cyano-5-[3- (3,4-dichloro-phenyl)- isoxazole-5-carbonyl]-thiophen-2-ylamino}- 4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 507.1 1-85

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 378.3 1-86

N-[4-Amino-3-cyano- 5-(2,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-thiophen-2-yl]-2-methyl-benzamide 390.3 1-87

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (2,4-dimethyl-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 400.3 1-88

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (2,4-dimethyl-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 418.3 1-89

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(2,4- dimethyl-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 475.1 1-90

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (2,4-dimethyl-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 340.3 1-91

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-2-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3-ylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 356.3 1-92

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-93

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 410.3 1-94

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(indan-5- ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 419.9 1-95

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(2,5- dimethoxy-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 449.9 1-96

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 472.3 1-97

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(2,5- dimethoxy-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 507.1 1-98

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3-ylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 388.3 1-99

4-Amino-5-(2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-ethyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 408.3 1-100

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-101

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 410.3 1-102

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(indan-5- ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-103

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(2,4- dimethoxy-benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 507.1 1-104

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethoxy- benzoyl)-2-(2-ethyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 408.3 1-105

4-Amino-5-(benzofuran-3- carbonyl)-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-106

2-[4-Amino-5- (benzofuran-3-carbonyl)- 3-cyano-thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl- pentanoic acid methyl ester 412.3 1-107

2-[4-Amino-5-(benzofuran-3- carbonyl)-3-cyano- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 430.3 1-108

4-[4-Amino-5-(benzofuran-3- carbonyl)-3-cyano- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 487.1 1-109

4-Amino-5-(benzofuran-3- carbonyl)-2-(2-ethyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-110

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 383.9 1-111

2-[4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-3-cyano- thiophene-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 406.3 1-112

2-[4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-3-cyano- thiophene-2-ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl-butyric acid methyl ester 423.9 1-113

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(3,4-dimethoxy- benzylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 427.9 1-114

4-[4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-3-cyano- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 481.1 1-115

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro- benzoyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 345.9 1-116

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 362.3 1-117

4-Amino-5-(3-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-118

2-[4-Amino-5-(3-chloro- benzoyl)-3-cyano- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 406.3 1-119

4-[4-Amino-5-(3-chloro- benzoyl)-3-cyano- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 481.1 1-120

4-Amino-5-(3-chloro-benzoyl) 2-cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 345.9 1-121

2-[4-Amino-5-(benzo[b] thiophene-3-carbonyl)-3-cyano-thiophen-2-ylamino]- 4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 427.91-122

2-[4-Amino-5-(benzo[b] thiophene-3-carbonyl)-3-cyano-thiophen-2-ylamino]- 4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester445.9 1-123

4-[4-Amino-5-(benzo[b] thiophene-3-carbonyl)-3-cyano-thiophen-2-ylamino]- N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide503.1 1-124

4-Amino-5-(benzo[b]thiophene- 3-carbonyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 367.9 1-125

4-Amino-2-(3-cyano- phenylamino)-5-(5-methyl- 1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 425.1 1-126

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-1-phenyl-1H- pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]- benzoic acid methyl ester 458.3 1-127

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-1-phenyl-1H- pyrazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-N- (2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)- benzamide 527.11-128

4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 419.1 1-129

4-Amino-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 431.5 1-130

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2- ylamino]- benzoic acid methyl ester 459.1 1-131

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2- ylamino]-4- methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methylester 471.1 1-132

4-Amino-2-(3,4-dimethoxy- benzylamino)-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazole-4-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 475.1 1-133

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(5- methyl-3-phenyl- isoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-N- (2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 527.91-134

4-Amino-5-(5-methyl-3- phenyl-isoxazole-4- carbonyl)-2-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3- ylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 409.1 1-135

5-[3-Amino-4-cyano-5-(2- piperidin-1-yl- ethylamino)-thiophene-2-carbonyl]-isoxazole- 3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 418.3 1-136

5-[3-Amino-4-cyano-5-(2- methyl-benzoylamino)- thiophene-2-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 425.1 1-137

5-[3-Amino-4-cyano-5-(1- methoxycarbonyl- 3-methyl-butylamino)-thiophene-2-carbonyl]- isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 435.11-138

5-{3-Amino-4-cyano-5-[4- 2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan- 3-ylcarbamoyl)-phenylamino]- thiophene-2-carbonyl}- isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylester 509.9 1-139

5-(3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 375.1 1-140

5-[3-Amino-4-cyano-5- (2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-ylamino)-thiophene-2-carbonyl]- isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 391.11-141

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl- pentanoic acid methyl ester 439.1 1-142

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)- benzamide 514.3 1-143

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 378.99 1-144

4-Amino-2-(2-fluoro- phenylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-145

4-Amino-2-(4-methoxy- phenylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-146

4-Amino-2-(3-cyano- phenylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-147

4-Amino-2-(indan-5- ylamino)-5-(pyridine- 2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-148

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano- 5-(pyridine-2-carbonyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-benzoic acid methyl ester N/A 1-149

4-Amino-2-(3,4-dimethoxy- benzylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-150

4-Amino-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-151

4-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-N-(2-oxo-tetrahydro- furan-3-yl)-benzamide 447.9 1-152

4-Amino-2-(2-oxo- tetrahydro-furan-3- ylamino)-5-(pyridine-2- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 329.1 1-153

4-Amino-2-(2-ethyl- phenylamino)-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-154

2-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (2,5-dimethoxy- benzoyl)- thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methyl-pentanoic acid methyl ester 432.3 1-155

4-Amino-2-(3-cyano- phenylamino)-5-(2,4- dimethoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 405.5 1-156

2-[4-(Amino-5-(3- chloro-benzoyl)-3- cyano-thiophen-2-ylamino]-4-methylsulfanyl- butyric acid methyl ester 423.9 1-157

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-2-(indan-5- ylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 388.3 1-158

4-Amino-5-(2,4-dimethyl- benzoyl)-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 440.3 1-159

4-Amino-5-(benzo[b] thiophene-3-carbonyl)- 2-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-ylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 383.9 1-160

N-[4-Amino-3-cyano-5- (pyridine-2-carbonyl)- thiophen-2-yl]-2-methyl-benzamide 363.1 1-161

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 445.9 1-162

4-Amino-2-(3,4-dimethoxy- benzylamino)-5-(2,4- dimethyl-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 421.9 1-163

4-Amino-5-(3-chloro- benzoyl)-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-164

4-Amino-5-[3-(2,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-(4-methoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-165

4-Amino-5-(4-difluoro- methoxy-benzoyl)-2-(4- difluoromethoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 450 [M − H] 1-166

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4- difluoromethoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 384 [M − H] 1-167

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4- methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 364 [M − H] 1-168

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4- chloro-3- trifluoromethyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 420 [M − H] 1-169

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(3- methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 364 [M − H] 1-170

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2- (3-nitro-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 365[M − H] 1-171

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 310 [M −H] 1-172

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino- 5-[3-(3-4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 448.9 1-173

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-chloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 411.0 [M − H] 1-174

4-Amino-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)-2-(4- phenoxy)- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 440 [M − H] 1-175

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5-[3- (morpholine-4- carbonyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 414 [M − H] 1-176

5-[3-Amino-4-cyano-5-(3- methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-2-carbonyl]- isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 427 [M −H] 1-177

4-Amino-5-(4-methoxy- benzoyl)-2-(3- methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 394 [M − H] 1-178

4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino-5- (4-methoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 312 [M − H] 1-179

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- cyclopropanecarbonyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 276.13 1-180

4-Amino-5-(2-chloro-benzoyl)- 2-(3-methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 398 [M − H] 1-181

4-Amino-2-(3-methylsulfanyl- phenylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 431 [M − H] 1-182

4-Amino-5-(4-chloro- benzoyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 344.0 [M − H] 1-183

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (4-methoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 340.1 [M − H] 1-184

4-Amino-5- cyclopropanecarbonyl-2- (4-phenoxy-phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 374.1 [M − H] 1-185

4-Amino-5-benzoyl-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile410.1 [M − H] 1-186

4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 349.1 [M − H] 1-187

4-Amino-2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole- 5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 477.0 [M − H] 1-188

4-Amino-5-(biphenyl-4- carbonyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-189

5-(3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid isopropylamide N/A 1-190

5-(3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid cyclopropylamide N/A 1-191

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (4-methoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 389 1-192

4-Amino-2-phenylamino- 5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 387 1-193

4-Amino-2-benzylamino- 5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole- 5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 401.1 1-194

4-Amino-2-(2-chloro- phenylamino)-5-(4- phenoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 444.0 [M − H] 1-195

4-Amino-5- cyclopentanecarbonyl- 2-(4-phenoxy- phenylamino)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 402.0 [M − H] 1-196

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amideN/A 1-197

3-Amino-4-cyano-5-(4- phenoxy-phenyl amino)-thiophene-2- carboxylic acidamide N/A 1-198

5-(3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethylamide N/A 1-199

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophene-2-carboxylic acid ethylester N/A 1-200

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid ethyl ester N/A 1-201

(3-Amino-4-cyano-5- cyclopentylamino- thiophen-2-yl)-oxo- acetic acidethyl ester N/A 1-202

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (thiophene-3-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 318.1 1-203

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5- (5-phenyl-thiophene-2- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 393.8 1-204

4-Amino-2- cyclohexylamino-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 393 1-205

4-Amino-2- isopropylamino-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 353.1 1-206

4-Amino-2- (cyclopropylmethyl- amino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 365.0 1-207

4-Amino-5-(3-bromo- isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 379 [M − H] 1-208

4-Amino-2-(furan-2- ylamino)-5-(3-phenyl- isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 377.1 1-209

4-Amino-2- isobutylamino-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 367.2 1-210

4-Amino-5-(3-phenyl- isoxazole-5-carbonyl)- 2-(tetrahydro-furan-2-ylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 381.1 1-211

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5-[3- (2,6-dichloro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 445 [M − H] 1-212

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-chloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-isopropylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 385 [M − H] 1-213

4-Amino-2-(2-morpholin-4- yl-ethylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 424.1 1-214

4-Amino-2-(3-chloro- benzylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 433.9 [M − H] 1-215

4-Amino-5-(benzothiazole-2- carbonyl)-2- cyclopentylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 369 1-216

4-Amino-2-(3-methoxy- benzylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 433.9 [M − H] 1-217

4-Amino-5-(3,4-dichloro- benzoyl)-2- isopropylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 355 1-218

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- [2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-acetyl]- carbonitrile N/A 1-219

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (4-methyl-2-pyrazin-2-yl-thiazole-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 109.0 [M − H] 1-220

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- [3-(4-nitro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 422.0 [M − H] 1-221

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- [3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 397 1-222

4-Amino-2-sec-butylamino-5- (3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 367.2 1-223

4-Amino-2-(1,2-dimethyl- propylamino)-5-(3-phenyl-isoxazoie-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 379.1 [M − H] 1-224

4-Amino-2-tert-butylamino- 5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 367.2 1-225

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,5-dichloro- isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- 2-isopropylamino-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 418.9 [M − H] 1-226

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 434.9 1-227

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- [3-(2,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-228

4-Amino-2-(1-ethyl- propylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 381.2 1-229

4-Amino-2-(1-ethyl- propylamino)-5-(4- phenoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 406.2 1-230

4-Amino-2-isopropylamino- 5-(4-phenoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 377.9 1-231

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (4-phenoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 404.1 1-232

4-Amino-2-sec-butylamino- 5-(4-phenoxy-benzoyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 392 1-233

4-Amino-2-isobutylamino- 5-(4-phenoxy-benzoyl)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile390.1 [M − H] 1-234

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino- 5-(2-methyl-5-phenyl- thiophene-3-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 408.2 1-235

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (2-phenyl-thiazole-4- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile 395 1-236

4-Amino-2-isobutylamino-5- (3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide 385.2 1-237

4-Amino-2-cyclopentylamino-5- (3-phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid N/A 1-238

(3-Amino-4-methyl-5- phenylamino-thiophen- 2-yl)-(4-chloro-phenyl)-methanone 343.0 1-239

[3-Amino-4-methyl-5-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiophen-2-yl]-phenyl-methanone 401 1-240

(3-Amino-5-cyclopentylamino- 4-methyl-thiophen-2-yl)-(3-phenyl-isoxazol- 5-yl)-methanone 368.1 1-241

(3-Amino-5-cyclopentylamino- 4-ethyl-thiophen- 2-yl)-(3-phenyl-isoxazole-5-yl)-methanone 382.1 1-242

4-Amino-2-methoxy- phenylamino)-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5- carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-243

[3-Amino-5-ethyl-5-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiophen-2-yl]-phenyl-methanone 415 1-244

4-Amino-2-sec-butylamino- 5-(3-phenyl-isoxazole- 5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-245

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-isobutylamino- thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-246

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-(1,2-dimethyl-propylamino)- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 450 1-247

4-Amino-2-sec-butylamino- 5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carbonitrile 436.1 1-248

4-Amino-5-[3-(3,4-dichloro- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-(1,2-dimethyl-propylamino)- thiophene-3- carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-249

4-Amino-2-sec butylamino-5-[3-(3,4- dichloro-phenyl)-isoxazole-5-carbonyl]- thiophene-3-carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-250

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino- thiophene-3-carbonitrile N/A 1-251

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5-(3- phenyl-isoxazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid amide 397.2 1-252

4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino-5-(4- methyl-2-pyrazin-2- yl-thiazole-5-carbonyl)-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid amide N/A 1-253

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2-cyclopentylamino- thiophene-3- carboxylic acid amide 412.41 1-254

4-Amino-5-[3-(4-amino- phenyl)-isoxazole-5- carbonyl]-2- isobutylamino-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid amide 400.44 1-255

2,4-Diamino-5-(3-phenyl- isoxazole-5-carbonyl)- thiophene-3- carboxylicacid amide N/A 1-256

5-Allylamino-3-amino- thiophene-2,4- dicarboxylic acid dimethyl esterN/A 1-257

3-Amino-2-carbamoyl-6- methyl-4-pyridin-4-yl-4,7- dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5- carboxylic acid methyl ester N/A 1-258

3-Amino-2-(4-bromo- benzoyl)-4-methyl-7H- thieno[2,3-b]pyridin- 6-oneN/A 1-259

3-Amino-2- diphenylcarbamoyl-6- oxo-6,7- dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid N/A 1-260

3-Amino-6-oxo-2-p- tolylcarbamoyl-6,7- dihydro-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid N/A

TABLE 1B Formula I compound numbers and data. For rat in vivo inhibitionassay, + = >20%, − = <20%, blank = not assayed 100 mg/kg po, 2 hrchallenge delay unless indicated otherwise. % IC50 + = <10 mM/− = >10mM/ Comp inhibition blank not assayed number r TNFα h TNFα PDE4B PDE4B2PDE4D PDE4D5 1-1 + + + + 1-2 + + + + 1-3 − 1-4 − − 1-5 + 1-6 − 1-7 −1-8 + 1-9 + 1-10 − 1-11 − 1-12 − − − − 1-13 + 1-14 + 1-15 1-16 + − − −1-17 + + + + 1-18 + + + + 1-19 + + 1-20 + + + + + 1-21 + + + +1-22 + + + + 1-23 − − 1-24 − − 1-25 + + 1-26 + + 1-27 − 1-28 − + + + + +1-29 + (1 hr ip) + + + + 1-30 + + + + + 1-31 − (200 mg + + + + + 1 hr) +(100 mg 2 hr) 1-32 − + + + + 1-33 + + + + + 1-34 + + + + + 1-35− + + + + 1-36 − (1 hr) + + + + 1-37 − (1 hr) + + + + 1-38 − − 1-39 − −1-40 − + + + + 1-41 − − 1-42 + − 1-43 + + + + 1-44 + − 1-45 − − 1-46 − −1-47 − − 1-48 − − 1-49 + + 1-50 + + + + 1-51 + − 1-52 + − 1-53 − −1-54 + + 1-55 + + + + 1-56 + − 1-57 − − + − 1-58 + + 1-59 − − 1-60 + −1-61 + + + + 1-62 − − − − 1-63 − − 1-64 + − 1-65 − − 1-66 + + + +1-67 + + + + 1-68 + − + − 1-69 + + + + 1-70 + + 1-71 + + + − 1-72 + +1-73 + + 1-74 + + + + 1-75 + + + + 1-76 + − 1-77 + + + + 1-78 + + + +1-79 + + 1-80 + + 1-81 + − + − 1-82 − − − − 1-83 − − − − 1-84 − −1-85 + + + + 1-86 + − + − 1-87 − − 1-88 + − 1-89 + + 1-90 + + + + 1-91 +− 1-92 + + 1-93 + + 1-94 + + 1-95 + − 1-96 + − 1-97 − + 1-98 + −1-99 + + + + 1-100 + + 1-101 + + 1-102 + + 1-103 − − 1-104 + + 1-105 + +1-106 + − 1-107 + + 1-108 + + 1-109 + + 1-110 + + + + + 1-111 + +1-112 + + 1-113 + + 1-114 + + 1-115 + + 1-116 − − 1-117 + + 1-118 + −1-119 + + 1-120 + + 1-121 + + 1-122 + + 1-123 + + 1-124 + −1-125 + + + + 1-126 + + 1-127 + + 1-128 + + 1-129 + + + + 1-130 + + + +1-131 + − 1-132 + + 1-133 + + 1-134 + − 1-135 + + 1-136 − − 1-137 + −1-138 + + 1-139 + + + + 1-140 + − 1-141 + + 1-142 + + + 1-143−/+ + + + + − (80 mg) + (ip) + (50 mg, ip) 1-144 + + 1-145 − − 1-146 + −1-147 + + 1-148 + + 1-149 + + 1-150 + − 1-151 + − 1-152 − − 1-153 + −1-154 + − 1-155 + + + + 1-156 + + 1-157 + + 1-158 + − 1-159 + + 1-160 +− 1-161 + (90 mg, + + − + ip) − (90 mg, po) 1-162 + + 1-163 + −1-164 + + − 1-165 + + 1-166 − + + 1-167 − + + 1-168 + + 1-169 + (70mg) + + + + 1-170 + + 1-171 − + + + + 1-172 + + − − 1-173 − + + − −1-174 + 1-175 + 1-176 + + 1-177 − + + 1-178 + + 1-179 + + 1-180 + + + +1-181 − + + + + 1-182 + − 1-183 + + 1-184 + + 1-185 + + 1-186 − + + − +1-187 − − − − 1-188 + 1-189 + + + 1-190 + + + 1-191 − (50 mg) − + + + +1-192 − (50 mg) + + + + + 1-193 − + − − 1-194 + 1-195 + + 1-196 − −1-197 − − 1-198 + − + − 1-199 + + 1-200 − − + − 1-201 + + 1-202 + +1-203 + + 1-204 − − − − 1-205 − − + − + 1-206 − − − − 1-207 + + 1-208− + − − 1-209 − + + + + 1-210 + + + + 1-211 + + + + 1-212 + (90 mg)− + + − − 1-213 + − + − 1-214 − − − − 1-215 + + + + 1-216 − − − −1-217 + + 1-218 − − 1-219 + + + + + 1-220 − + + − − 1-221 − (50 mg) + +− − 1-222 − + + + − 1-223 − + + − − 1-224 + + + + 1-225 − + + − − 1-226− − − − 1-227 + − + − 1-228 + − + − 1-229 + + 1-230 + + 1-231 + +1-232 + + 1-233 + + + + 1-234 + + 1-235 + + 1-236 + (50 mg) − + + + + +(50 mg, ip) 1-237 + + + 1-238 + + + 1-239 + − − 1-240 + + + + 1-241− + + − 1-242 + + + + 1-243 + + − 1-244 + + + + + 1-245 + + + + +1-246 + − − 1-247 − + + − − 1-248 + + + − 1-249 − + + − 1-250 − + + + +1-251 + (50 mg) − + + + + 1-252 − + + + + 1-253 − + + + +1-254 + + + + + 1-255 − − −

TABLE 3C Additional compounds of Formula I Cmpd. Structure Name 3

3-[3-(2-Chloro-phenyl)- thioureido]-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid methylester 4

3-(2,6-Difluoro- benzoylamino)-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid methyl ester5

3-Amino-4-cyano-5-piperidin- 1-yl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid methylester 6

3-(2-Chloro-6-fluoro-phenyl)- 5-methyl-isoxazole-4- carboxylic acid[4-(propane- 1-sulfonyl)-thiophen-3-yl]- amide 8

4-Amino-5-nitro-2- phenylamino-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid ethyl ester12

N-{4-[(4-amino-5-benzoyl-3- cyano-2- thienyl)oxy]phenyl}acetamide 14

4-amino-5-benzoyl-2- morpholino-3- thiophenecarbonitrile 16

2-anilino-5-benzoyl-4-(1H- pyrrol-1-yl)-3- thiophenecarbonitrile 21

3-Amino-4-cyano-5- morpholin-4-yl-thiophene-2- carboxylic acid methylester

TABLE 2A Formula II compounds: Cmpd number Structure Name M + H 2-1 

5-[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazole-5-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 377.1 2-2 

5-[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazole-5-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 389.1 2-3 

5-[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazole-5-carbonyl]-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 451.1 2-4 

5-(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazole-5-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 351.1 2-5 

5-(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazole-5-carbonyl)-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 323.1 2-6 

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone 389.1 2-7 

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5- yl)-methanone 393.1 2-8 

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3-phenyl-isoxazol-5- yl)-methanone 455.1 2-9 

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone 355.1 2-10

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone 327.1 2-11

(4-Amino-2- isopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- phenyl-isoxazol-5-yl)-methanone 329.02 2-12

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-isoxazol- 5-yl]-methanone 390.39 2-13

(4-Amino-2- isopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-isoxazol- 5-yl]-methanone 363.18 2-14

(4-Amino-2- isopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-[3-(3,4- dichloro-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-methanone 398.56 2-15

(4-Amino-2- isobutylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-[3-(3,4- dichloro-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-methanone 410.92 2-16

(4-Amino-2- isobutylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-isoxazol-5- yl]-methanone 377.01 2-17

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(5- pyridin-2-yl-thiophen-2-yl)-methanone 371 2-18

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(5- phenyl-thiophen-2-yl)-methanone 370.2 2-19

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- phenyl-thiophen-2yl)-methanone 371.7 2-20

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(2- methyl-5-phenyl-thiophen-3-yl)- methanone 2-21

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(5- methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-methanone 368.1 2-22

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- methyl-2-pyrazin-2-yl-thiazol-5-yl)- methanone 387 2-23

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 395.9 2-24

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3-nitro-phenyl)-methanone 2-25

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-phenyl-methanone 296 2-26

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone328.1 2-27

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- bromo-phenyl)-methanone 2-28

[4-Amino-2-(4- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- fluoro-phenyl)-methanone 2-29

[4-Amino-2-(2- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone328.1 2-30

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone365.1 2-31

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-(3,4-dimethoxy- phenyl)-methanone354.1 2-32

[4-Amino-2-(2,5- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone362.0 2-33

4-(4-Amino-5- benzoyl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-benzoic acid ethyl ester 366.12-34

3-(4-Amino-5- benzoyl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-benzoic acid methyl ester352.0 2-35

4-(4-Amino-5- benzoyl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-benzoic acid 338.1 2-36

3-(4-Amino-5- benzoyl-thiazol-2- ylamino)-benzoic acid 338.1 2-37

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-(4-methoxy- phenyl)-methanone324.1 2-38

4-[4-Amino-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzoic acidethyl ester 396.0 2-39

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone2-40

4-[4-Amino-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzoic acid368.0 2-41

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4-methoxy-phenyl)- methanone 393.9 2-42

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4-difluoromethoxy- phenyl)-methanone 429.9 2-43

[4-Amino-2-(2,4,6- trichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl-methanone 397.9 2-44

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- difluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone330.1 2-45

[4-Amino-2-(2,4,6- trifluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl-methanone 348.0 2-46

3-[4-Amino-5-(4- phenoxy-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzonitrile413.1 2-47

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- phenoxy-phenyl)-methanone 479.9 2-48

3-[4-Amino-5-(4- methoxy-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzonitrile351.1 2-49

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 418.3 2-50

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 357.9 2-51

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 360.3 2-52

3-[4-Amino-5-(3- chloro-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzonitrile 355.12-53

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 421.9 2-54

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 381.9 2-55

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 393.9 2-56

3-[4-Amino-5-(3- trifluoromethyl- benzoyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-benzonitrile 389.1 2-57

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 456.3 2-58

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanone 379.9 2-59

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanone 391.9 2-60

3-[4-Amino-5-(4- difluoromethoxy- benzoyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-benzonitrile 387.1 2-61

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(4- difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanone 453.9 2-62

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 343.9 2-63

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 356.3 2-64

3-[4-Amino-5-(3- methoxy-benzoyl)- thiazol-2-ylamino]- benzonitrile351.5 2-65

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(3- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 418.3 2-66

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-(2- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 421.9 2-67

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl- methanone388.3 2-68

(4-Amino-2- benzylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-phenyl-methanone 308.1 2-69

(4-Amino-2- isopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- methoxy-phenyl)- methanone2-70

[4-Amino-2- (naphthalen-1- ylamino)-thiazol-5- yl]-phenyl-methanone344.1 2-71

[4-Amino-2-(pyridin- 3-ylamino)-thiazol-5- yl]-phenyl-methanone 295.12-72

[4-Amino-2-(pyridin- 3-ylamino)-thiazol-5- yl]-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 325.1 2-73

[4-Amino-2-(pyridin- 2-ylamino)-thiazol-5- yl]-phenyl-methanone 297.22-74

[4-Amino-2-(6- phenoxy-pyridin-3- ylamino)-thiazol-5-yl]-phenyl-methanone 387.1 2-75

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(2- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 320.1 2-76

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- phenoxy-phenyl)-methanone 380.3 2-77

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- phenoxy-phenyl)-methanone 352.3 2-78

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 318.3 2-79

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 290.3 2-80

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 322.3 2-81

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- chloro-phenyl)-methanone 293.9 2-82

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 356.3 2-83

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 328.3 2-84

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- difluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanone 354.3 2-85

(4-Amino-2- thiazol-5-yl)-(4- difluoromethoxy- phenyl)-methanone 326.32-86

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 317.9 2-87

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- methoxy-phenyl)-methanone 290.3 2-88

(4-Amino-2- cyclopropylamino- thiazol-5-yl)-(3- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-methanone 328.3 2-89

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-cyclopentyl- methanone 286.2 2-90

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-cyclohexyl- methanone 300.2 2-91

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]- cyclohexyl-methanone334.1 2-92

[4-Amino-2-(4- chloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]- cyclopentyl-methanone320.1 2-93

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-cyclopentyl-methanone 354.0 2-94

1-[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-2-cyclopentyl-ethanone 368.1 2-95

(4-Amino-2- phenylamino-thiazol- 5-yl)-cyclopropyl- methanone 258.2 2-96

[4-Amino-2-(2,6- dichloro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-cyclopropyl-methanone 328.0 2-97

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-cyclopropyl-methanone 350.1 2-98

[4-Amino-2-(2- fluoro-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]- cyclopentyl-methanone306.3 2-99

[4-Amino-2-(4- methoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-cyclopentyl-methanone 317.9  2-100

3-(4-Amino-5- cyclopentanecarbonyl- thiazol-2-ylamino)- benzonitrile313.1  2-101

[4-Amino-2-(4- phenoxy-phenylamino)- thiazol-5-yl]-cyclopentyl-methanone 380.3  2-102

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)- thiophen-3-yl-methanone294.1  2-103

(4-Amino-2- cyclopentylamino- thiazol-5-yl)- benzothiazol-2-yl-methanone 345

TABLE 2B Formula II activity data r TNF is rat in vivo data, inhibitionassay, + = >20%, − = <20%, blank = not assayed % IC 50 vs. indicatedassay Com- inhibition + = <10 μM/− = >10 μM/blank = not assayed pound rTNFα h TNFα PDE4B PDE4B2 PDE4D PDE4D5 2-1 − + + 2-2 + + 2-3 − − 2-4 + +2-5 + + 2-6 + − + + + + 2-7 + + 2-8 − 2-9 + + + + + 2-10 + + 2-11 + +2-12 + + 2-13 + + 2-14 + + 2-15 + + 2-16 + + 2-17 + + 2-18 + +2-19 + + + + 2-20 + + 2-21 + + 2-22 + + For inhibition assay, + = >20%,− = <20%, blank = not assayed 100 mg/kg po, 2 hr challenge delay unlessindicated otherwise % IC 50 vs. indicated assay Compound inhibition + =<10 μM/− = >10 μM/blank = not assayed number r TNFα h TNFα h TNFα h TNFαh TNFα h TNFα 2-23 − − + + + + 2-24 + + 2-25 + + 2-26 + + 2-27 + +2-28 + + 2-29 + + 2-30 + + + + 2-31 + + 2-32 + + 2-33 + + − 2-34 − + +2-35 − + + + + 2-36 + + 2-37 + + 2-38 − 1 hr + + 2-39 + + 2-40 − 1hr + + 2-41 − + + 2-42 + + 2-43 + − 2-44 + 2-45 2-46 + + 2-47 − 2-48 + +2-49 + + 2-50 + + 2-51 + + 2-52 + + 2-53 + + 2-54 + + 2-55 + + 2-56 + +2-57 + − 2-58 + + 2-59 + + 2-60 + − 2-61 − 2-62 + + 2-63 + + 2-64 −2-65 + + 2-66 + − 2-67 + + + 2-68 + + 2-69 + − 2-70 + + 2-71 + +2-72 + + 2-73 + − 2-74 − + 2-75 − − 2-76 − + + + + 2-77 + + 2-78 + +2-79 + + 2-80 + + + + + + 2-81 + + 2-82 + + 2-83 + + 2-84 + + 2-85 + −2-86 + + 2-87 + + 2-88 + + 2-89 + + 2-90 + + 2-91 + − 2-92 + + + + 2-93− 1 hr + + 2-94 − − 2-95 + − 2-96 + + 2-97 + + 2-98 + + 2-99 − −2-100 + + 2-101 − − 2-102 + + 2-103 + +

TABLE 3A Formula III compounds, names and activity data IC₅₀ + = <10 μM− = >10 μM blank not assayed Comp number Structure PDE4B PDE4D M + H3-1 

− − 291 Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid guinolin-8-ylamide 3-2 

− − 399 5-Bromo-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-3 

− − 339 5-Chloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-4 

− − 369 5-Bromo-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide 3-5 

− − 305 Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (7- methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-6 

− − 383 5-Bromo-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide3-7 

− − 325 5-Chloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide 3-8 

− − 373 4,5-Dichloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-9 

− − 389 4,5-Dichloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-10

− − 359 4,5-Dichloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide 3-11

− − 371 [M − H] 2,5-Dichloro-thiophene-3-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-12

− − 355 5-Chloro-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-13

− − 321 Thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (6- methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-14

+ + 445 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-15

− − 427 [M − H] 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (7- methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-16

+ + 415 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acidquinolin-8-ylamide 3-17

+   493.1 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acid(5-bromo-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-18

+   445.1 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acid(5-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-19

+ N/A 5-(2-Methylsulfanyl-pyrimidin-5-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acidmethyl-quinolin-8-yl-amide 3-20

− − 439 5-(1-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide 3-21

− − 469 5-(1-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide3-22

− − 453 5-(1-Methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid (7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide3-23

− − 358 5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2- sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide3-24

− − 372 5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-25

− − 388 5-Isoxazol-3-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-26

− − 440 5-(5-Trifluoromethyl-isoxazol-3- yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7- methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-27

− − 454 5-(5-Trifluoromethyl-isoxazol-3- yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6- methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-28

− − 424 [M − H] 5-(5-Trifluoromethyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide 3-29

− − 382 5-Pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-30

− − 366 [M − H] 5-Pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2- sulfonic acidquinolin-8-ylamide 3-31

+ − 398 5-Pyridin-2-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-32

− − 424 N-[5-(Quinolin-8-ylsulfamoyl)- thiophen-2-ylmethyl]-benzamide3-33

+ + 388 5-(2-Methyl-thiazol-4-yl)-thiophene- 2-sulfonic acidquinolin-8-ylamide 3-34

+ +   357.9 5-Oxazol-5-yl-thiophene-2- sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide3-35

+   438.3 5-Oxazol-5-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(5-bromo-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-36

+   388.3 5-Oxazol-5-yl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(5-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-37

− − 431 4-Benzenesulfonyl-thiophene-2- sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide3-38

− − 443 [M − H] 5-Benzenesulfonyl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-39

− − 443 [M − H] 4-Benzenesulfonyl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(7-methyl-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-40

− − 431 5-Benzenesulfonyl-thiophene-2- sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide3-41

+ − 461 5-Benzenesulfonyl-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-amide 3-42

− −   595.6 3-43

− − 345 [M − H] 5-(7-Methyl-quinolin-8-ylsulfamoyl)-furan- 2-carboxylicacid methyl ester 3-44

− − 333 5-(Quinolin-8-ylsulfamoyl)-furan- 2-carboxylic acid methyl ester3-45

− − 363 5-(6-Methoxy-quinolin-8-ylsulfamoyl)- furan-2-carboxylic acidmethyl ester 3-46

− − N/A 4-Methyl-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3-47

− − N/A N-(5-Bromo-quinolin-8-yl)-4-methyl- benzenesulfonamide 3-48

− − N/A N-(6-Methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-4- methyl-benzenesulfonamide 3-49

− − 347 5-Fluoro-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide 3-50

− 383 2,6-Dichloro-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin- 8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-51

− − 375 2,5-Dimethoxy-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin- 8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide3-52

− − 340 4-Cyano-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin- 8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-53

− − 345 4-Methoxy-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)- benzenesulfonamide 3-54

− − 329 N-(6-Methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-C- phenyl-methanesulfonamide 3-55

− − 333 4-Fluoro-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin- 8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-56

− − 333 3-Fluoro-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin- 8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-57

− − 329 N-(6-Methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-2- methyl-benzenesulfonamide 3-58

− − 359 2-Methoxy-N-(6-methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-5-methyl-benzenesulfonamide 3-59

−   363.1 365.1 N-(6-Bromo-quinolin-8-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-60

−   393.1 395.1 5-Bromo-2-methoxy-N-quinolin- 8-yl-benzenesulfonamide3-61

+ 378 3-(Pyrimidin-4-ylamino)-N- quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3-62

+   474.2 4-(2-Methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3-63

+   474.2 3-(2-Methylsulfanyl-quinazolin-4-ylamino)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3-64

+   389.95 4-(Pyridine-4-carbonyl)-N- quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide3-65

+ N/A 4-Morpholin-4-yl-N-quinolin-8-yl- benzenesulfonamide 3-66

+ +   377.1 3-(2-Methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-N-quinolin-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide 3-67

−   457.1 N-(5-Bromo-quinolin-8-yl)-3-(2-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-68

+   407.1 N-(5-Methoxy-quinolin-8-yl)-3-(2-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-benzenesulfonamide 3-69

−   377.96 6-Phenoxy-pyridine-3-sulfonic acid quinolin-8-ylamide

TABLE 3B Additional Sulfonamide compounds of Formula III Cmpd # PLX # MW49

348.402 51

413.545 52

442.480 53

523.535 54

383.447 55

411.429 56

499.479 57

431.482 58

488.610 59

386.780 60

284.359 61

463.508 64

411.917 65

296.345 66

507.637 67

402.476 69

413.545 70

366.483 71

414.533

All patents and other references cited in the specification areindicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to whichthe invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in theirentireties, including any tables and figures, to the same extent as ifeach reference had been incorporated by reference in its entiretyindividually.

One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages mentioned,as well as those inherent therein. The methods, variances, andcompositions described herein as presently representative of preferredembodiments are exemplary and are not intended as limitations on thescope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur tothose skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of theinvention, are defined by the scope of the claims.

It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varyingsubstitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosedherein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Forexample, variations can be made to crystallization or co-crystallizationconditions for PDE4B proteins and/or various phosphodiesterase domainsequences can be used. Thus, such additional embodiments are within thescope of the present invention and the following claims.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitationswhich is not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention hasbeen specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optionalfeatures, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosedmay be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims.

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described interms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilledin the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby describedin terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markushgroup or other group.

Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various numerical valuesare provided for embodiments, additional embodiments are described bytaking any 2 different values as the endpoints of a range. Such rangesare also within the scope of the described invention.

Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention andwithin the following claims.

1. A compound having the chemical structure

or a salt thereof, wherein: X is selected from the group consisting of Oand S; R³ is selected from the group consisting of cyano, nitro,—C(Z)R⁸, —S(O₂)NR⁹R¹⁰, —S(O₂)R¹¹, and optionally substituted loweralkyl; R¹, R², R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, acyl, optionally substituted loweralkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substitutedlower alkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycle, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, and optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, provided, however,that R¹ and R², or R⁴ and R⁵, or R⁹ and R¹⁰, or R² and R³ can combine toform an optionally substituted heterocycle; Y and Z are independentlyselected from the group consisting of O and S; R⁸ is selected from thegroup consisting of, hydroxy, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionally substitutedamine, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted loweralkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substitutedcycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionallysubstituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaralkyl, and optionallysubstituted heterocycle; and R¹¹ is selected from the group consistingof hydroxy, alkoxy, thioalkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl,optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted loweralkynyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl; R⁶ is

Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ are independently selected from the group consistingof —O—, —S—, —CR^(6a)—, —CR^(6b)—, —CR^(6c)—, and —NR^(6d)—, wherein: atleast one of Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴ is a heteroatom; and Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴are selected to produce a stable compound; R^(6a), R^(6b), and R^(6c)are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halohydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy,optionally substituted aryl, amino, amido, amidino, urea optionallysubstituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups,aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, arylor heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle,optionally substituted hetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido,optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, andoptionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any available point toproduce a stable compound; or R^(6a), R^(6b), and R^(6c) can, incombination with the five-membered ring comprising Z¹, Z², Z³, and Z⁴,combine to form an optionally substituted fused heterocyclic ringsystem; and R^(6d) is optionally present, and when present is selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted loweralkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocycle,optionally substituted heteroaryl, acyl, sulfonyl, amido, thioamido, andsulfonamido; provided, however, that when R⁶ is thiophen-2-yl, then R¹and R² are not selected from the group consisting of phenyl, loweralkyl, and lower alkenyl; when R⁶ is furan-2-yl, then R¹ and R² are notselected from the group consisting of optionally substituted phenyl andoptionally substituted phenylalkyl; and when R¹ or R² isfuran-2-yl-methylene or furan-2-yl-ethylene, then R⁶ is not optionallysubstituted phenyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein: X is S, and Y isO.
 3. The compound of claim 2 wherein: R¹ is selected from the groupconsisting of optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substitutedlower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, acyl, optionallysubstituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionallysubstituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted aralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, and optionallysubstituted heteroaralkyl; and R², R⁴ and R⁵ are hydrogen.
 4. Thecompound of claim 1 wherein: R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of

R^(6a), R^(6b), and R^(6c) are independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, amino, amido,amidino urea optionally substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl orheterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- orN,N-di-substituted with alkyl aryl or heteroaryl groups,alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino,alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino,carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substitutedhetaryl, nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyloptionally substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,attached at any available point to produce a stable compound; and R^(6d)is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionallysubstituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted heterocycle, optionally substituted heteroaryl, acyl,sulfonyl, amido, thioamido and sulfonamido; provided, however, that whenR⁶ is thiophenc-2-yl, then R^(6a) is not hydrogen or halo.
 5. Thecompound of claim 4 wherein: R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of

R^(6a) and R^(6b) are independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, amino, amido,amidino, urea optionally substituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl orheterocyclyl groups, aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- orN,N-di-substituted with alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl groups,alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, heteroarylsulfonylamino,alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino,carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substitutedhetaryl, nitro, cyano thiol, sulfonamido, optionally substituted alkyl,optionally substituted alkenyl, and optionally substituted alkynyl,attached at any available point to produce stable compound, provided,however, that when R⁶ is thiophene-2-yl, then R^(6a) is not hydrogen orhalo.
 6. The compound of claim 1 wherein at least one of R¹ and R² isselected from the group consisting of optionally substituted cycloalkyl,optionally substituted heterocycle, and optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl.
 7. The compound of claim 1 having structure

wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, acyl,optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted loweralkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkynyl, optionally substitutedcycloalkyl optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substitutedheterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedaralkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substitutedheteroaralkyl; R³ is selected from the group consisting of cyano, nitro,—C(Z)R⁸, —S(O₂)NR⁹R¹⁰, —S(O₂)R¹¹, and optionally substituted loweralkyl; and R^(6a) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acyloxy,optionally substituted aryl, amino, amido, amidino, urea optionallysubstituted with alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl groups,aminosulfonyl optionally N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted with alkyl, arylor heteroaryl groups, alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino,heteroarylsulfonylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,heteroarylcarbonylamino, carboxyl, optionally substituted heterocycle,optionally substituted hetaryl nitro, cyano, thiol, sulfonamido,optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, andoptionally substituted alkynyl, attached at any available point toproduce a stable compound.
 8. A composition comprising a compoundaccording to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 9. Amethod for treating a human patient suffering from or at risk of adisease or condition for which PDE4B modulation provides a therapeuticbenefit, said method comprising administering to said patient aneffective amount of a compound according to claim 1, wherein saiddisease or condition is selected from the group consisting of asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer's disease,diffuse large-cell B cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.